Georgian Vice Prime Minister accuses EU bureaucracy of undermining public perception of Europe

Mamuka Mdinaradze, Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and State Minister for the Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies, on Friday said European bureaucracy was “completely detached” from Europe itself, arguing its decisions were damaging public attitudes toward Europe more than anything else.

Speaking at a briefing at the Government Administration, Mdinaradze said Europe had traditionally represented dignity, freedom of speech, justice and Christian values in the minds of Georgians, while claiming the actions of what he called “Eurobureaucracy” reflected something entirely different.

"The longer this attitude from Eurobureaucrats continues, the more respect for Europe itself will erode because of the European bureaucracy. That is unfortunate and not good news. It is similar to what would have happened if Mikheil Saakashvili's rule in Georgia had lasted even longer. Some claimed Georgia was a beacon of democracy, while in reality it was gradually becoming a slaughterhouse. Innocent people, and regardless of whether someone was guilty or not, were subjected to brutal treatment. The longer that government remained in power, the worse the situation became. The closer it came to the end of its rule, the more ruthless the regime became toward both people and its own country”, he said.

“Some tried to equate Saakashvili, his regime and Georgia whenever discussing various decisions. We still see this today. But we must understand that Europe and today's Eurobureaucracy are completely detached from one another. European values are in one place, while the decisions of the European bureaucracy are in another. Nothing is damaging attitudes toward Europe today more than the decisions of the European bureaucracy”, Mdinaradze concluded.