MP Levan Makhashvili: When Brussels opposes a nation protecting its core interests, the writing is on the wall for member states

“A proposal to abolish or bypass national vetoes is a grave initiative that, if ever implemented, would strip member states of a vital mechanism to protect their core national interests,” MP Levan Makhashvili, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration, told GPB First Channel.

Makhashvili noted he finds it difficult to imagine member capitals willingly surrendering this sovereign right.

“However, if through various pressures member states are ultimately persuaded to yield, we can say with confidence that this will mark the beginning of the end for the European Union as we know it. Such a move stifles dialogue and cooperation. Every historical attempt to force power into the hands of Brussels has only ever damaged the Union itself. While I doubt it will succeed, any such decision would truly mark the beginning of the end for the EU.

It appears this proposal has been pushed back onto the agenda because, at critical junctures, certain member states forcefully resisted decisions that were profoundly unhealthy and unpragmatic. Rather than engaging in deeper dialogue and accommodating sovereign concerns, elements in Brussels concluded that centralising power was the answer. This is entirely the wrong trajectory. Power needs to be decentralised back towards member capitals, not concentrated in Brussels. Otherwise, far from strengthening the EU, it will inevitably weaken and fracture it.

When a sovereign nation stands up for its core national interests- we are talking about fundamental national priorities, not routine day-to-day administrative matters- and Brussels opposes them, the writing is on the wall for member states. Certain interest groups, officials, and institutions in Brussels are driven by a desire to consolidate power in their own hands rather than respect the sovereign interests of member capitals.

Therefore, member states will take a firm stand. They will not surrender this right and will do everything in their power to preserve it. That has been the reality until now, and in all likelihood, it will remain so. But if, under pressure or through political arm-twisting, this right is eventually stripped away, it will unequivocally accelerate the demise of the European Union,” Makhashvili stated.

His remarks follow media reports of leaked internal drafts indicating the EU is weighing up mechanisms to bypass individual member state vetoes on key strategic decisions.