Georgian Parliament official: European Parliament must stop interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Tuesday called on the European Parliament to end what he described as unjustified and disproportionate interference in Georgia’s internal affairs and to respect the country’s sovereignty and the will of its people.

He said recent remarks by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and other officials during a meeting of the EU Council amounted to an admission that Brussels’ policy toward Georgia had failed and had harmed the EU’s strategic interests.

Speaking during a plenary session of the Georgian Parliament, Makhashvili said Georgia remained ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and expressed hope that EU representatives would soon join the negotiating table.

“This approach and attitude were wrong, unjust and damaging from the outset. Therefore, this attitude must change. Today, Brussels’ bureaucracy is swimming against the tide, to the detriment of the interests of most EU member states”, Makhashvili said.

He stressed that dialogue, rather than isolation, was needed, adding that Georgia would remain ready to engage with responsible partners.

“Today, more than ever, this is a time for dialogue, not isolation. In January, April, July and November, Georgia is and will remain where every responsible partner should be - at the negotiating table. Georgia has always been and will remain ready for dialogue based on mutual respect. I hope EU representatives will soon join that same table”, he said.

Makhashvili added that Brussels needed to clarify whether it genuinely supported Georgia’s European integration or expected political compliance from the country as a precondition.

“Do they genuinely support Georgia’s European integration, or are they still waiting for political submission from Georgia?” he asked.

Makhashvili also commented on a Europe Day event held in Kakheti and organised by the EU Delegation to Georgia.

Addressing the EU ambassador and the event’s organisers, he questioned whether the gathering demonstrated respect for the Georgian people.

“Is encouraging people who insult Georgians and dancing to their tune a sign of respect for Georgians? Is that how they understand diplomacy or love for the Georgian people?” Makhashvili said.

He alleged that anti-government sentiment had been openly expressed under diplomatic cover at the event, criticising the organisers for holding a traditional Georgian grape harvest celebration, known as Rtveli, alongside people he accused of insulting Georgians.

Makhashvili said the only positive aspect of the event, in his view, was that the EU ambassador had enjoyed himself.

He contrasted this with the situation facing the ambassador’s counterparts in Moldova and Ukraine, saying they had little reason to celebrate.

The Committee Chair also criticised what he described as a political spectacle unfolding in the European Parliament, arguing that further discussion of its proceedings was no longer worthwhile.

“The European Parliament must stop using confrontational language and engaging in unjustified, disproportionate and unprovoked interference in Georgia’s internal affairs”, he said.

Makhashvili insisted that the European Parliament should respect Georgia’s sovereignty and the will of its people as expressed in parliamentary elections.

“Attempts to discredit that choice or resort to various manoeuvres will not help. They must acknowledge the will of the people, respect that will and respect the sovereignty of the state. Only then will we be able to sit down with them at the negotiating table on the basis of mutual respect”, Makhashvili concluded.