Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has addressed an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and European Council President António Costa, questioning the European Union’s current direction and raising concerns over the handling of a recent protest in Copenhagen.
The PM claimed that Georgia is a country founded on European values, where “human dignity, humanism, freedom and national identity are not merely declared principles, but deeply rooted values shaped over centuries.”
Kobakhidze stressed that Georgia has historically, culturally and in terms of values been part of the European space and remains a candidate country for EU membership. However, he claimed that political dialogue between Georgia and the European Union had been “unilaterally suspended” by what he referred to as the “European bureaucracy,” adding that formats of cooperation proposed by the Georgian side had repeatedly been rejected.
“We are compelled to address you publicly through an open letter,” Kobakhidze stated, reiterating that Georgia’s aspiration to join the EU is not driven by formal integration alone, but by what he described as a “civilizational choice” based on Christian morality, freedom, equality, human rights and democratic principles.
In the letter, Kobakhidze also referred to recent events in Copenhagen, Denmark, where, he claimed, participants of a peaceful demonstration were allegedly beaten with batons and attacked using police dogs.
Addressing the leaders of the EU’s key institutions, he asked how they assess the reported violence and whether such actions are compatible with democratic and human rights standards that the European Union promotes globally.
“The shocking footage, showing police brutally dispersing peaceful demonstrators, clearly revealed a disturbing reality to the international community,” the PM wrote, arguing that Europe risks moving away from its traditional image as a defender of democracy, freedom of speech and fundamental rights.
Kobakhidze further raised broader concerns about what he described as democratic backsliding, economic stagnation, migration challenges, the erosion of historical memory and national identities within Europe.
“As high-ranking officials of the European Union, where do you believe the processes associated with democratic backsliding, economic stagnation, migration crisis, erosion of historical memory, weakening of national and gender identities and the breakdown of public identity are leading Europe?” he asked.
He noted Georgia expects “a clear answer” from the European Union regarding its future direction and the outcome of what he described as “troubling processes” currently unfolding within the bloc.
Image source: 1tv.ge
