UNM Chair urges European decision-makers to act, protect Georgian people, and sanction regime

“I told decision-makers across Europe that it is utterly inconceivable how European bureaucracy can be so inflexible, unable to act, to protect the Georgian people, or to impose sanctions on the regime,” stated Tina Bokuchava, Chair of the United National Movement (UNM) party, during a live broadcast on Formula TV.

Bokuchava admitted she could not hide her disappointment.

“Before Georgia was granted EU candidate status, there were differing opinions within the opposition regarding our lobbying efforts with EU member states and the European Commission. My stance was clear: the EU should have granted candidate status to the Georgian people. The Georgian Dream and propaganda are well aware of what we advocate for when visiting EU countries.

In recent months, we have met with Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, the Latvian Foreign Minister, and the Deputy Lithuanian Foreign Minister. We held important discussions within the European Commission, including a bilateral meeting with President Ursula von der Leyen, Vice-President Kaja Kallas, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who delivered a harsh report on Georgia.

The European Commissioner for Enlargement is responsible for deciding whether Georgia can join the EU’s political family. Besides Brussels, we also held meetings in Berlin, Germany. If you ask me why, it is because Georgian citizens must not lose the vital benefit of visa-free travel, which was granted in recognition of their unwavering commitment to EU integration.

Losing this privilege would not be easily rectified. During Poland’s presidency, the European Parliament decided to activate the visa suspension mechanism targeting specific groups. This was something previously unthinkable. I conveyed clearly to European decision-makers that it is utterly incomprehensible how European bureaucracy remains so inflexible, especially when a dictatorship is established, while Georgia is a pro-European nation and the majority of its citizens strive for freedom, often risking their lives to join the EU. Why is it that, due to Orban’s veto, the EU cannot act to protect the Georgian people and impose sanctions on the regime?” she said.

When asked whether her tone was particularly strict, she replied: “Yes, it was.” Asked if Brussels found her approach frustrating, she responded: “They reacted well.”

“I may be more candid with you about my emotions,” she added, “but I can assure you that I did not hold back my efforts to express my disappointment. The inflexibility of the bureaucracy is precisely what prevents the European Union from acting decisively to protect the national and historical aspirations of the Georgian people towards EU membership and to activate sanctions mechanisms,” she concluded.