German parliamentarian criticises EU’s interference in Georgia’s internal affairs

Martin Vincentz, the Chair of the Alternative for Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia and group leader of the party in the Landtag, on Sunday said Georgia must be governed from within and that Georgian politics should be shaped by Georgian politicians rather than the European Union.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Vincentz noted it was “unacceptable” for external actors to interfere in the domestic politics of sovereign states, pointing to past instances where non-governmental organisations were used for such purposes.

“Germany is acting very poorly from an international perspective. We have damaged relations with many countries because we interfere in their internal affairs without having the proper foreign policy instruments at hand. Unfortunately, the European Union intervenes in many directions and in the internal matters of others. For us, this is unacceptable. European common policy must be clearly separated from national politics. Respect for the independence of states and non-interference in internal affairs are essential”, the German politician said.

Vincentz further emphasised Georgia’s historic and cultural significance.

“Georgia is an ancient Christian country with great traditions. You have given humanity wine and many other wonderful things. We want a relationship with you based on mutual respect. For us, interference in Georgia’s domestic affairs on behalf of the European Union is unacceptable. We see the EU primarily as a union of homelands. Georgia must be governed from Georgia, and Georgian politics must be made by Georgian politicians, not by the EU, which interferes not only in Georgia’s internal matters but also in those of other countries”, he concluded.