MEP Tomasz Froelich says Georgia outperforms Moldova, criticises EU for disregarding Georgia’s economic growth and rule of law

European Parliament member Tomasz Froelich on Sunday said Georgia was significantly ahead of Moldova both economically and in terms of the rule of law, arguing that the EU’s disregard for these indicators exposed what he described as the bloc’s hypocrisy.

Froelich made the remarks in an interview with Imedi TV, responding to the statement by Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, that Georgia was a candidate country “in name only” and that she would like to see it brought to the same level as Moldova and Ukraine.

“Georgia is far ahead of Moldova, both economically and in terms of the rule of law. The Georgian economy is growing three to four times faster than Moldova’s”, Froelich said.

He described the EU’s alleged disregard for these indicators as a scandal, saying it once again highlighted what he called the bloc’s double standards.

“The fact that the EU disregards these figures is a scandal and once again exposes its hypocrisy. It seems that if you blindly follow Brussels’ instructions, you can do anything, but if you disagree with Brussels, you get lectured”, the MEP continued.

Froelich argued that facts carried little weight in the EU’s approach to enlargement, while maintaining that the differences between Georgia and Moldova were clear.

“It is clear that facts do not matter in the EU. That does not change the fact that the rest of us can clearly see the figures. Everyone knows that Moldova is not ahead of Georgia – the opposite is true”, he concluded.