Georgian PM warns against using EU integration to pressure Georgian people

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated in an interview with China’s CCTV program Leaders Talk that his Government would not allow any force to use the issue of European integration as a means of blackmail against the Georgian people.

Kobakhidze recounted how Georgia’s 2022 bid was initially rejected, forcing Tbilisi to “fight” for candidate status granted only in December 2023.

“It ultimately took a year and a half for us to receive candidate status. We had to fight for it. Moreover, this candidate status was used as a means of blackmail. Later, they began to blackmail us again with the issue of opening accession talks with the European Union, which is not good, because ultimately this created disturbances in Georgia as well”, he said.

While reaffirming full-fledged EU membership as Georgia’s strategic goal, the Prime Minister insisted the path must be free of coercion and double standards.

“Of course, our goal remains to become a full-fledged member of the European Union, but we want to continue along this path only in accordance with the principles of rules and fairness. This is our general approach”, he concluded.