EU warns Georgian authorities over “anti-European rhetoric”
According to the EU Delegation’s communiqué, the discussions
between the parties were comprehensive and focused on the future of
EU-Georgia relations.“The European Union Ambassador to Georgia,
Paweł Herczyński, was invited for a meeting with the Deputy Prime
Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili.
They had a substantive discussion about EU-Georgia relations.Since
Georgia’s independence, the EU has stood by Georgia, helping to
build a democratic and prosperous state. The EU has shown time and
time again that it wishes Georgia to move forward.The EU leaders have
unanimously decided to grant Georgia a candidate status. Like the
majority of Georgians, we believe that membership in the EU offers
Georgia the best guarantee of peace and prosperity.Accession to the EU
requires sincere commitment and tangible reforms to align with EU
values and standards. Unfortunately, the current trajectory taken by
Georgian authorities pushes Georgia away from the path of EU
membership. Persistent anti-EU rhetoric further undermines the
credibility of Georgia’s EU aspirations.The European Union does not
force anyone to become a member. We wish that Georgian authorities do
not miss this historic opportunity that still exists,” reads the
statement.For context, Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, summoned EU Ambassador to
Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, to a meeting. Subsequently, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the
encounter.According to the ministry, the Minister highlighted that
Brussels’ current policy towards Georgia, specifically, the recent
steps and statements, undermines mutual trust and damages the
Georgia-EU partnership.The summoning of Ambassador Herczyński was
prompted by remarks he had made several days earlier at an event held
at the European External Action Service in Brussels, which several
Georgian media outlets have subsequently circulated: “Georgia stands
at a crossroads. Georgia’s future has not yet been written, but what
is decided in the coming weeks and months will determine whether
Georgia belongs to the family of European nations founded on
democracy, the rule of law and human rights — or whether,
regrettably, it returns to its dark past.” He had further stated:
“We must not allow Georgia, and the wonderful, warm, hospitable
Georgian people, to return to a dark era of violence, civil war,
poverty, hardship and corruption.”On April 23, Prime Minister Irakli
Kobakhidze declared that “the EU Ambassador is threatening the
Georgian people with civil war and impoverishment, and that is a
direct threat. It is therefore appropriate that the Ambassador be
summoned to the Foreign Ministry.”
1777291680