Georgian PM points to constant blackmail by EU over membership in the union

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said during a briefing on November 29 that the European Union (EU) has an unfair attitude towards Georgia.

According to him, it is especially unacceptable for Georgia when the issue of launching "absolutely useless negotiations" on the country's EU membership is used "as an instrument of blackmail and splitting the society."

"We want to emphasize once again: the constant blackmail with the status of a candidate, sometimes with the question of starting negotiations, and sometimes with budget financing cause indignation in our society and damage the reputation of the European Union," the Georgian prime minister said during the briefing, the broadcast of which was published on his official Facebook page (owned by Meta, an organization recognized as extremist in Russia).

Kobakhidze recalled that the European Commission's assessment confirms Georgia's leadership among such countries wishing to join the EU as Moldova and Bosnia. According to the Prime Minister, the fact that these countries have already started negotiations, while Georgia remains on the sidelines, "causes a sense of injustice."

Kobakhidze expressed bewilderment over Moldova's ability to openly negotiate while Georgia is treated unfairly in this matter. According to him, Brussels has no explanation for their bias towards Tbilisi.

"Where has this fairness disappeared to? Why is there no fair treatment of Georgia?" - Kobakhidze concluded.

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On the same day, it was reported that Georgian authorities will take diplomatic measures if the EU Ambassador to Tbilisi Pavel Gerchinsky does not change his rhetoric and stop interfering in the internal affairs of the republic.

The day before, on November 28, the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to suspend discussions with the EU on opening accession talks with the EU until 2028. Tbilisi will continue to fulfill its obligations under the associated membership and free trade agreement and will fulfill them by 90% by 2028.

Earlier, on November 18, it was reported that the EU foreign ministers agreed to redirect €120 million of aid intended for the authorities to "support civil society". In addition, a political mission will be sent to Georgia to study what happened in the country, referring to the situation around the parliamentary elections held in the republic.

On May 14, the Georgian parliament adopted the law on foreign agents in the third and final reading. The country's President Salome Zurabishvili later said that she intended to veto the adopted bill. The situation around the law provoked a wave of protests.

The EC and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said in a joint statement that the adoption of the law on foreign agents by the Georgian authorities would have a negative impact on the country's integration into the European Union.