Georgian FM points to gaps between Brussels’ messaging and views of EU states

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said there were frequent concerns about Brussels exceeding its assigned powers, noting that many EU member states do not share the positions of Brussels institutions, particularly regarding Georgia.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili addressed the ongoing debate within the European Union about the balance of powers between Brussels and member states.

“Very often, especially in the recent period, there are concerns and talks that Brussels does more than the powers granted to it by the EU member states. On the other hand, EU member states are also participants in these processes, and it is their business how they distribute the work between the European Commission and the EU member states, and how the lines of sovereign powers will be drawn”, Botchorishvili said.

She stressed that it was up to member states to define how work was divided and to protect their sovereign powers.

“It is clear that in the recent period, dissatisfaction with the activities of the European External Action Service is heard from many directions, including from member states and institutions, and we will see that this is not a new process. Such discussions have always characterised Brussels, but of course, for greater credibility, it would be better if foreign policy was also conducted within the frameworks defined by the EU member states, and it is very important that this is also protected”, she noted.

The Foreign Minister noted that in Georgia’s case as well, differences were evident between the positions of EU institutions and representatives of member states.

“We often meet with representatives of EU member states who do not think the same way and do not share the positions we hear from the Brussels institutions”, Botchorishvili stressed.

She further highlighted that Josep Borrell’s recent statement should be assessed precisely in this context.

“Borrell also made, so to speak, a bold statement precisely on those issues that we often look at in relation to Georgia”, she concluded.