Georgian President highlights commitment to EU integration, criticises Brussels bureaucracy

Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Thursday addressed the current state of relations between Georgia and the European Union, emphasising that Tbilisi has not walked away from the negotiating table.

In his remarks at a press briefing following a meeting with his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini, Kavelashvili clarified Georgia’s position regarding its European integration path, citing a need for mutual respect and constructive dialogue.

“In general, when the European Union was created, it was a peaceful idea, based on economic development, equality, justice, and mutual respect. Unfortunately for us, at this stage the European bureaucracy often makes mistakes in relation to us - Georgia is committed to values, and Slovakia is an exemplary country for us, which upholds these principles, and our people will also look with hope at Slovakia's positioning in the European Union, because we have once again stated that we have a great desire to become a member of the European Union, although our national interests, sovereignty, and the principle of justice must be protected”, the president said.

“We have not halted accession talks, we are always ready - we note now that we are always ready for fair, constructive negotiations, but this process needs the other side. Unfortunately, the Brussels bureaucracy is behaving differently at this stage, although those countries give us hope, a small list - Slovakia, one of the leading countries that has these principles, and Georgia has constant support from them”, he concluded.