Georgian Parliament official: Georgia’s European integration path will be guided by national interests

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, said on Wednesday that the Georgian Government would pursue a path towards European integration that aligned with the country’s national interests.

In an interview with Imedi TV, Makhashvili called on the European Union to adopt a fair and objective approach towards Georgia.

“It is evident that there is no readiness among [EU] member states to suspend visa liberalisation. Rather than seeking to tighten measures, the approach is, in fact, the opposite: easing tensions and attempting to initiate political dialogue”, Makhashvili said.

“Due to foreign interference, we have witnessed the expulsion of various ambassadors within the European Union. Furthermore, in one instance, elections were even annulled in a country as a result of foreign interference. We are not asking anything extraordinary of Brussels; we are simply calling for a fair and objective approach based on the principle of mutual equality. On this basis, I am ready to engage in discussions in any format and on any issue”, he continued.

He further emphasised that Tbilisi remained ready to engage in dialogue with Brussels to address outstanding issues and reach compromises wherever possible.

“I do not want to dwell at length on [Moldova and Ukraine]. Our population can clearly see what is happening there. We do not compare ourselves with anyone else. We only address such comparisons when Georgia is portrayed unfavourably in relation to Ukraine or Moldova. Every country has its own path to follow, and we will certainly pursue ours. However, that path is determined not by statements from Kaja Kallas or Marta Kos, but by Georgia’s national interests”, he concluded.