Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said, “Certain influential forces imagine the European Union as a unity of non-sovereign, weak states, devoided of identity and values, however, in reality, the European Union can only be strong if it unites sovereign states.”

In his address to the public gathering at the Georgian Parliament, the PM noted, “Georgia is an independent and sovereign state. Georgian society has solid values, and we should become a European Union member with independence, sovereignty, and values.”

“The same people who try to undermine EU sovereignty and European values tell us that we will be accepted into the European family only if we abandon state sovereignty and traditional values; If we give up morality, church, and faith; If we give up democracy and the rule of law; If we give up democratic elections and judicial independence; If we give up all the values that Europe was founded on after the Second World War.

When a country joins the European Union, the European Union not only welcomes it, but the country also welcomes the European Union. Hence, Georgia has the complete right to request that the European Union respect its sovereignty and values before entering our home,” remarked the Prime Minister.