Georgian PM says dialogue with European Parliament and broader European bureaucracy will resume once “Soviet-style” approaches are abandoned

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said that dialogue with the European Parliament and broader European bureaucracy will resume once “Soviet-style” approaches are abandoned.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister noted that the restoration of dialogue depends entirely on the European side, while Georgia remains in a state of “strategic patience.”

“Georgia remains in a mode of strategic patience. We stand ready to resume dialogue the moment we see that European institutions - specifically the European Parliament and broader bureaucratic bodies - have abandoned their Soviet-style tactics. The onus remains on them, and we will continue to wait until such changes are evident”, Kobakhidze said.

When asked to specify which demands from European institutions were unacceptable, the Prime Minister pointed to legislation governing assemblies and demonstrations.

Kobakhidze asserted that for over a year, the country’s main avenue had been repeatedly blocked by demonstrations, arguing that the new legislation was intended to prevent public disruption.

“About 150 members of the United National Movement disturbed the entire country. We adopted a law to address this, and now they do not like that law. This suggests that the European Parliament approves of 150 people causing disruption for 3.9 million citizens. The same applies to sidewalks. Once restrictions were imposed on blocking Rustaveli Avenue, they began gathering on sidewalks and obstructing them. If there are 150 people, they should stand peacefully wherever they wish, including on the sidewalk, provided they do not interfere with others”, he said.

The Prime Minister added that the legislation had been adopted to prevent demonstrations from creating inconvenience for residents of Tbilisi and maintained that the law was fully justified.