Parliament official: unlike some, Georgia did not discover EU in 2022 but has been building its European foundation for years

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Committee on European Integration of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday emphasised that Georgia's European Union integration process was not based on rhetoric or emotional gestures, but on specific legislative reforms and systematic efforts over the years.

Makhashvili’s remarks came during a joint committee session discussing the 2024 report and 2025 action plan for implementing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement with the European Union.

“When we talk about Georgia’s accession to the European Union, it is not just empty words, emotional statements, or marching in the streets with flags. First and foremost, this process has substance. It is about the laws, rules, standards, and norms that Georgia must incorporate into its national legislation”, the Parliament official said.

Makhashvili outlined the importance of the laws, rules, and standards that Georgia had been integrating into its national legislation as part of its EU integration.

“Unlike some, Georgia did not suddenly discover the European Union in 2022. For years, the country has been methodically and systematically implementing this legislation and building the European foundation of our state. This is a fact. Some may wish to ignore it or rewrite history, but no one will succeed in fabricating a different version of these facts”, he concluded.

Georgia has been pursuing EU integration for years, aligning its legal framework with European standards, as part of its broader ambition to secure full EU membership.