Georgian Church not opposed to country’s European future

Georgia's spiritual leader says the Georgian Church is doing its best to support the country’s European aspirations.

The Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II made this statement at a meeting with the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule.

"We are very happy about the fact that Georgia, which has experienced a hard soviet regime, is now on its way to integrate with European structures,” the Patriarch said, adding there was no need for him to be assured that Georgia needed to become a member of the European Union.

As a part of his two-day visit to Georgia, the European Commissioner met with the Georgian Patriarch to assure him, on behalf of the EU, they had no intention to undermine Georgia's traditional values.

"What we promote are the universal values of tolerance, dignity, and respect,” Fule said.

When discussing the Association Agreement (AA), Fule claimed this was not an attempt by Western countries to impose foreign values on Georgia.

"Georgians who cherish Georgian traditional values have nothing to fear from us,” the Commissioner stated.

He dismissed rumours that the AA would force Georgia to allow same-sex marriages and said there was "nothing at all in the Agreement that would force Georgia to adopt any such legislation".

Same-sex marriage is not  a requirement of EU membership or EU law, as it is a matter for national legislation,” he added.

However, the Commissioner said what the EU did ask for was the introduction of strong anti-discrimination legislation, which was a requirement under the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.

"Anti-discrimination legislation is important to protect the rights of all Georgians,” Fule said.

He explained it was not a way to impose an alternative lifestyle on anyone.

"Nor does it undermine traditional Georgian values. What it does do is guarantee the right of individuals to fair and equal treatment regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation,” the Commissioner claimed.

He said the EU wanted to build its relations with Georgia, not only with politicians but society as well. Fule claimed politicians spend a short time in office, left politics and then no one remembered them, while the church "is always there”. 

That was exactly why he asked for a meeting with the Georgian Patriarch.

In response to this, Patriarch Ilia II said the alleged spreading of information that the Georgian Orthodox Church opposed the country’s European integration was not true.

"I want to assure you the Georgian Church will do its best to make this idea come true,” Ilia II told Commissioner Fule.