Grigol Gegelia, Secretary General of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” said that a recent statement by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos once again demonstrated that Georgia continued to have every opportunity to move rapidly toward European integration, provided it fulfilled its obligations and carried out the required reforms.
Commenting on Kos’s remarks, Gegelia said claims that Georgia’s European integration had been “suspended by the European Union” were unfounded and misleading.
“The statement by EU Commissioner Marta Kos once again makes it clear that Georgia had, and still has, every chance and opportunity to move toward the European family at a rapid pace, provided that the country fulfills all its obligations and implements the reforms discussed over recent years,” Gegelia said. He added that this would require the release of political prisoners and the scheduling and holding of new, free parliamentary elections.
Gegelia claimed that narratives suggesting that the European Union itself had halted Georgia’s integration process were “nothing more than propaganda myths.”
He said the EU had repeatedly signaled its readiness to engage in discussions on real integration and further steps if reciprocal actions were taken by the ruling Georgian Dream party and the Georgian authorities.
“Once again, we see and hear that the European Union is ready for real integration if appropriate steps are taken by the Georgian state,” Gegelia said.
At the same time, he accused Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the current government of blocking Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic path. Gegelia claimed that the ruling authorities had effectively closed the door to integration, arguing that Georgia’s European agenda had stalled as a result of government actions.
He contrasted Georgia’s situation with that of Armenia, saying that while Georgia’s European integration had effectively come to a halt, Armenia was achieving “unprecedented results” on the international stage and actively lobbying its national interests through diplomatic engagement.
For reference, EU Commissioner Marta Kos said earlier that she hoped the Georgian authorities, with the support of the population, would return to the European path, stressing that the decision rested with the country’s leadership.
“The European Commission’s enlargement report contains recommendations and conclusions regarding Georgia,” Kos said, noting that the country was experiencing a level of democratic backsliding unlike that of any other country assessed in the report. She added that if Georgia wanted to move forward on the European path, its government would need to act differently.
Kos also emphasized that the European Union would continue to support civil society and independent media in Georgia, describing such support as essential both for maintaining public hope and for signaling to the authorities when they failed to reflect the will of the people.
“I truly, truly hope that the Georgian authorities—the government—with the support of your people, will return to the European path,” the EU Commissioner said, adding that “this is, of course, in their hands.”
Related story: Commissioner Kos urges Georgian gov’t to recommit to European Path with public support
