Georgian PM: European integration must be compatible with Georgia’s national interests

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that Georgia remains committed to its constitutional goal of European integration, but stressed that the country's national interests and sovereignty would always take precedence where conflicts arise.

During his annual address to the legislative body, Kobakhidze noted that Georgia’s aspiration to join European bodies remains unchanged and is firmly anchored in the Constitution.

“Recall the quotation from my constitutional handbook regarding Article 78 - you can read the same in the Constitution itself. We included this provision in the Constitution, and I personally chaired the Constitutional Commission when Article 78 was adopted. Incidentally, the opposition did not support these constitutional amendments, including Article 78”, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted that his government was facing a constitutional dilemma when, in his view, Article 78 was used as a political instrument to pressure Georgia over its European integration process.

“As for the compatibility of the November 28 statement with Article 78, the article states that the authorities must take all measures to advance European integration. Naturally, this refers to all reasonable measures. There is also the legal principle of conflict of norms, and I would like to remind you that the first chapter of Georgia’s Constitution guarantees the principle of state sovereignty. If there is a conflict between the principle of state sovereignty and a specific foreign policy objective, priority, under the principle of conflict of norms, is given to the constitutional provisions enshrined in the fundamental principles”, he noted.

“This was precisely the dilemma our country faced when Article 78 was used very crudely and arrogantly as a means of blackmail against Georgia’s sovereignty and national interests. We had to resolve this conflict through the statement made on November 28”, Kobakhidze continued.

He also criticised what he described as repeated double standards in Georgia's EU accession process.

“That statement had a very direct effect and result. Had it not been made, every three months we would have had to listen to declarations claiming that Georgia did not deserve to open accession negotiations. This is exactly what we experienced over the previous two years - the injustice and double standards that had become exhausting for our population. Every three months, the same injustice was repeated. We put an end to that disgraceful double standard and that disgraceful injustice in a very straightforward manner”, he stressed.

Reaffirming his government’s strategic direction, Kobakhidze emphasised that European integration remains Georgia’s goal, but only in a manner consistent with national dignity and sovereignty.

“Ultimately, we have our constitutional objective, which is integration into European structures. I would like to remind you of our election slogan: Only with Dignity, Toward Europe with Prosperity. This is a deeply principled choice. Membership in any international alliance has no value without dignity. Therefore, we will continue to follow this principled approach. Wherever there is a conflict between national interests and a specific foreign policy objective, we will always act in accordance with our national interests”, he said.

Kobakhidze also expressed optimism that relations between Georgia and the European Union could improve if European institutions pursue an approach that better accommodates Georgia's national interests and respects the choices of the Georgian people.

“I very much hope that in the near future the European bureaucracy will ensure that the goal of European integration is compatible with Georgia’s national interests and the national interests of the Georgian people. In that case, all problems in these relations will be resolved immediately”, Kobakhidze concluded.