Georgian Parliament official says European calls for Russia dialogue contradict earlier pressure on Georgia

Davit Matikashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Tuesday accused European officials of applying double standards towards Georgia, pointing to growing calls in some European countries to restore trust between Europe and Russia.

Matikashvili made the remarks while commenting on Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s statement that a new mechanism was needed to rebuild trust between Europe and Russia.

“Georgia’s peaceful policy has been subjected to a barrage of criticism from European bureaucrats and certain countries. They demanded that we impose sanctions on Russia, which would have led to hostilities between Georgia and Russia”, he said.

“Now, however, individual countries are increasingly expressing their willingness to restore trust between countries and establish lasting peace. This is a clear case of double standards”, Matikashvili concluded.