MP Makhashvili: Public has long been hearing groundless statements from Brussels, we are ready for legal discussions

“We call on Brussels, instead of making loud political statements and using empty words, not to shy away from legal discussions and to present specific legal arguments,” Levan Makhashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament’s European Integration Committee, said.

Makhashvili was commenting on a statement by the EU Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, who said the EU was calling on Georgia to repeal or substantially revise recently adopted legislation. The statement also said that the EU condemned arbitrary detentions and growing repression, including the detention of opposition leaders, independent journalists, media workers and civil society actors.

According to Makhashvili, the Georgian authorities have been and remain ready for legal discussions.

“Georgian society has once again heard completely unfounded statements from Brussels concerning Georgian legislation and developments in Georgia. It is categorically unacceptable and insulting to Georgian society and the state when we see Brussels defending people who are serving sentences in penitentiary institutions for specific criminal offenses. Recently, society has seen the state’s very humane approach toward individuals who have admitted to crimes and repented,” Makhashvili said.

“As for the legislation, laws in Georgia are adopted to address specific problems and, of course, are fully compliant with the Constitution of Georgia and the European Convention on Human Rights — that is, with European legislation and international standards.

“We call on everyone, especially Brussels, which bears greater responsibility for these processes, not to shy away from legal discussions and, instead of loud political statements, empty words and declarations, to engage and present specific legal arguments concerning this legislation.

“The state has repeatedly stated that we were and remain ready for legal discussions — not political conversations, but specific legal discussions. If they have any legal arguments that can be considered within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution of Georgia, we are ready to hear them.

“We are deeply convinced that these laws are fully compliant with both the Constitution of Georgia and European standards. We do not intend to make political assessments in response to such unfounded statements. When assessing this type of legislation, we call on everyone to provide specific legal arguments,” Makhashvili said.