“Georgia’s progress and advancement have been assessed by our partners. We have been assessed as a front-runner and a leader in the region. And, at the same time, you simply cannot call your own country a laggard,” said Maka Bochorishvili, chairperson of the parliamentary European Integration Committee in a response to the opposition statements in the parliament.

According to Maka Bochorishvili, the Georgian Diplomatic Service is working tirelessly to ensure that Georgia’s interests are reflected and protected in the results of the Eastern Partnership Summit to the greatest extent possible. Prime Minister will also take part in the Summit.

“The Eastern Partnership Summit is scheduled to take place in Brussels tomorrow. The Prime Minister of Georgia will also take part in the Summit. The Diplomatic Service of Georgia is working day and night to ensure that Georgia’s interests are reflected and protected in the results of the Eastern Partnership Summit to the greatest extent possible. At this time, I think it is shameful to call our own country a laggard because Georgia is not a laggard.

I have a question: In which aspect in relation to Ukraine and Moldova has Georgia become a laggard? And at this point, I will say that the success of Ukraine and Moldova is in our interest, and we can only welcome any progress achieved by these countries as I think that we can achieve more together on the path we are on. I would like to disappoint you. We are not laggards, and if it is your dream for Georgia to be a laggard and for sanctions to be imposed on us on top of that, unfortunately, we really cannot help you fulfil this dream,” Maka Bochorishvili stated.