Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili defended the government’s foreign policy during a heated interpellation session in Parliament, rejecting claims that the country is becoming internationally isolated, while opposition lawmakers accused the ruling party of derailing Georgia’s EU integration process.
Addressing members of the opposition For Georgia faction, which initiated the questioning, Bochorishvili dismissed criticism of Georgia’s international standing. “Your dreams about isolation are just your dreams,” she said, arguing that the country continues to engage actively through international platforms and bilateral relations.
MP Giorgi Sharashidze sharply challenged the minister’s position, accusing both Bochorishvili and the government of responsibility for what he described as a stalled EU path. “Let us call things by their name: you are responsible for bringing Georgia’s European integration to a dead end,” he said, adding that authorities must explain “why the country moved beyond its constitutional framework.”
“Ms. Maka, explain to the citizens of Georgia why you are betraying the country’s historic choice of freedom from Russian influence and a European, democratic future, and whether you still have even the minimal resources, political will, or competence for Georgia to return to the path of EU membership during your tenure,” he added.
Bochorishvili responded by emphasizing that her priority is safeguarding national interests and ensuring stability. “We will not allow any step that poses even the slightest threat to the stability and security of the country,” she stated.
Reaffirming that EU integration remains Georgia’s strategic objective, the minister nevertheless criticized what she described as an “unfair” approach from Brussels. “There is no basis or justification for the approach with which the European Union is conducting relations with Georgia today,” she said, adding that current policies risk harming both Georgia and broader European interests.
Sharashidze rejected this argument, accusing the government of shifting responsibility onto the EU. He pointed to alleged violations of constitutional obligations, particularly Article 78, which mandates efforts toward Euro-Atlantic integration, and warned that Georgia is now “further from EU membership than in 2023,” referencing earlier remarks by EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski.
The Foreign Minister denied that the government had suspended the EU integration process, instead claiming that political dialogue was halted by Brussels in 2024. “The decision to open negotiations lies with the EU Council, not with Georgia,” Bochorishvili said, adding that Tbilisi remains ready to proceed once such a decision is made.
The exchange also touched on broader geopolitical and security issues. Bochorishvili reiterated that Russia’s continued occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia rules out any discussion of restoring diplomatic relations or adopting neutrality. She also criticized international sanctions targeting Georgian officials, describing them as unfair and, in some cases, lacking transparency.
Sharashidze, however, argued that the government’s policies have contributed to democratic backsliding and growing distance from European standards. He accused the ruling party of fueling anti-European rhetoric and political polarization.
The interpellation session demonstrated ongoing, deep divisions over Georgia’s foreign policy direction, with the government insisting it is protecting national interests, while the opposition warns the country is drifting away from its declared European path.
In a follow-up statement, MP Giorgi Sharashidze said that the Foreign Minister had effectively confirmed a shift in Georgia’s European course during her parliamentary address. “Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Bochorishvili, confirmed from the parliamentary tribune a change in the country’s European course and, through falsehoods and disinformation, attempted to shift responsibility for the suspension of the EU integration process onto the European Union,” he stated.
Sharashidze further argued that responsibility for the current situation lies with the ruling party, and he recalled a key political decision made in 2024. “Everyone in Georgia knows that on November 28, 2024, Irakli Kobakhidze announced the ruling party’s decision to unilaterally suspend Georgia’s EU integration, thereby causing irreparable damage to the country’s prospects of becoming a full-fledged member of the European family, founded on peace and prosperity,” he said.
He added that government officials would ultimately be held accountable for their actions. “Maka Bochorishvili and every member of Georgian Dream knows very well that they cannot escape the personal responsibility that history and the Georgian people will assign to them for undermining the country’s European future,” Sharashidze said.
By Team GT
