Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen slams EU for “double standard” in its trade with Russia

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday criticised the European Union for what he called a “double standard” in its trade with Russia, following reports that EU member states purchased products worth 310 billion from the Russian market.

In his remarks, Kaladze noted that every country “acts based on its own interests and seeks to ensure economic development”.

“It is a typical double standard. There have been many instances when something is prohibited for us, yet they do it themselves. What is not allowed for us is, naturally, acceptable for them. It is very simple - everyone proceeds from their national interests. Everyone wants their own country to be economically developed”, he said.

“If we look at major countries, even at the expense of smaller states like Georgia - why? Are we foolish? Why should we take steps that would harm my people and my country? They, of course, think about their own countries. Don’t think that some bureaucrat seated in Brussels spends day and night worrying about how Georgia should develop and how everything should be fine here. That is not what they are occupied with”, the official continued.

The Tbilisi Mayor added that the policies pursued by the ruling team in Georgia were aligned with the interests of the Georgian people.

“Everyone thinks about themselves, and we must take care of our own country. Therefore, with the policies implemented by the Georgian Dream, we naturally take steps that are important for my own country and for our people”, Kaladze concluded.