Georgian FM calls European Parliament resolution “political tool” aimed at creating negative agenda against government

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Sunday commented on the European Parliament’s resolution adopted last week, saying it represents a political instrument intended to advance a negative agenda against the Georgian government and further deepen polarisation and divisions within Georgian society.

In an interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili stated that the provision in the resolution urging the European Commission to preserve visa-free access to the European Union for civil society activists, journalists, and students reflects this political approach.

“Not only are statements being made, but concrete steps are also being taken. We are witnessing actions directly aimed at interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs, which is in direct contradiction to respect for the country’s sovereignty”, she said.

The Foreign Minister further commented on representatives of the Georgian opposition and non-governmental sector who last week, in the Parliamentary Assembly chamber, voiced support for the critical resolution on Georgia adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

“These are the individuals who are effectively endorsing a document that runs counter to Georgia’s interests, and this serves as a clear demonstration of that. The resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in its entirety, constitutes an attack on the Georgian state and Georgian society. Every provision contained in it has, in fact, been drafted and provided by these individuals, making them complicit in what is being carried out”, Botchorishvili stated.

Commenting on Georgia’s exclusion from the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on EU Enlargement, the Foreign Minister stated that this demonstrates that EU enlargement is not being treated seriously.

“When you do not invite the government elected by the Georgian people to a meeting on enlargement, it means you do not take enlargement seriously at all. You neither regard nor expect Georgia to be part of this policy. That is the message being sent. It completely contradicts the supposed support for the Georgian people that we so often hear and ultimately undermines their own position and credibilit”, Botchorishvili concluded.