Georgian Parliament official: US raises concerns as EU faces growing criticism

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Wednesday said that the United States was increasingly questioning the European Union’s direction, signalling a significant moment of reflection for Brussels.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Makhashvili emphasised that criticism of the EU was no longer limited to neighbouring countries - even the United States, a key partner - was expressing concern over Europe’s policies.

“A thought-provoking process is underway for Brussels. Today, it is not just one or two neighbours criticising. Its most important partner, the United States, is raising questions because the US also sees that in many areas, Brussels is at an impasse”, he said.

The official stressed that Europe must realign with its foundational values and principles to regain coherence and credibility.

“We hear rhetoric of war from Brussels, which is regrettable, because the European Union was founded on completely different values and principles, and today there is no alignment in this regard. This is why there is criticism from the United States, calling for Europe to return to its true European values - the very values on which it was founded and on which there was consensus over the past 70 years”, Makhashvili concluded.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said that concerns Tbilisi had been raising with Brussels for years were now being openly acknowledged by the European Union’s key partner and main security guarantor - the United States.