MP Levan Makhashvili: Overturning the dialogue table is not mature European politics; Georgia demands a fair approach

“During the official Georgian Parliament Speaker’s visits to Belgium and Luxembourg, meetings held with the Speakers of both host parliaments were warm, businesslike, and substantive,” MP Levan Makhashvili, Chairman of the European Integration Committee, wrote in a social media post.

According to Makhashvili, several EU member states have currently monopolised Brussels’ foreign policy towards Georgia.

“We discussed issues such as Georgia–EU relations; Georgia’s domestic and foreign policy; ongoing developments in the South Caucasus region; active regional conflicts, occupied territories, and other security challenges; the Middle Corridor trade route and economic opportunities; as well as bilateral relations and parliamentary diplomacy,” Makhashvili noted.

“Today, a handful of EU member states have monopolised Brussels’ foreign policy towards Georgia, and the progress achieved by Georgia on its path to European integration has fallen hostage to bilateral political disputes with these countries. It remains inexplicable that disagreement should prompt the overturning of the dialogue table and the closing of doors. Such conduct does not reflect mature European politics, but rather a policy of petulance and coercion. Nevertheless, tangible steps have been made to normalise Georgia–EU relations. While the road ahead may be long, many member states’ readiness for constructive, businesslike dialogue is encouraging. Georgia is not requesting privileged treatment, special conditions, or a shortcut on its path to EU membership. Georgia demands a fair approach. Under conditions of objective evaluation and a fair attitude, nothing can stand in the way of dialogue between Tbilisi and Brussels,” Makhashvili concluded.