Kobakhidze said that Georgia is ready to resume the process of European integration
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, in response to a question about whether it is necessary to wait four years before starting negotiations on the country's accession to the European Union, said that it depends on Brussels. Speaking about the prospects of the European integration process, he noted the successful development of the economy and stability.
Recall that earlier, the Georgian leader called a change in the EU's approach to official Tbilisi a condition for negotiations. Moreover, Kobakhidze emphasized that "European bureaucrats are to blame" for the unprecedented crisis in Georgia's relations with the EU.
EU Ambassador to Tbilisi Pavel Gerchinsky, in turn, said that the partial suspension of the visa-free regime with Georgia was a response to the anti-democratic actions of the country's government.
At the end of January, the European Union canceled the visa-free regime for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports. EU Ambassador to Tbilisi Pavel Gerchinsky said that these measures were a response to the anti-democratic actions of the country's government. In addition, on January 29, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) limited the powers of the delegation of the ruling party of Georgia, but for now left the mandate in force on the condition that “political prisoners are released in the country by April 2025 and new parliamentary elections are called.” In response to this decision, the representative of the Georgian delegation, Tea Tsulukiani, stated that the Georgian Dream “immediately ceases its work in PACE.” Irakli Kobakhidze, in turn, added that “the Georgian delegation will return to PACE after the attitude towards the Georgian people and our country changes.”
In early February, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas condemned the brutal suppression of a peaceful protest in Tbilisi and said that Georgia, as a candidate country, “does not live up to any expectations.”
Two and a half months ago, the Georgian government announced it was suspending EU accession talks until 2028 in order to “prevent the possibility of blackmail.” This sparked a new wave of pro-European rallies in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities.
