Parliament official claims “propaganda” against Georgia in response to Ukrainian official’s statement
In her remarks over the matter, Botchorishvili noted “it would be better” for countries aspiring to join the European Union to “support each other”. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's European Union Integration Committee, on Tuesday alleged a “propaganda” effort against the country in response to a statement by Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, who on Sunday said Georgia had “no chance of becoming a member of the European Union”.
In her remarks over the matter, Botchorishvili noted “it would be better” for countries aspiring to join the European Union to “support each other”.
Podolyak's statement is part of the propaganda that is carried out against Georgia. This is not new, we have been hearing similar statements, and not only statements, for more than a year”, Botchorishvili said.
“We have specific information that from their side - the side of some politicians - a number of steps were taken against Georgia when it came to the European integration process last year”, the Parliament official noted.
Botchorishvili said Georgia and Ukraine needed to “help each other and be together” in the process of their European integration, adding “unfortunately, we see some politicians doing the opposite, which is definitely not the case for the [EU] enlargement process in general”.
Teona Akubardia, an opposition MP in the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday called for “caution” in Ukrainian officials’ comments on Georgia’s internal politics for the purpose of “maintaining friendship” and “for the sake of a common struggle”, in response to remarks by Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who on Sunday said Georgia had “zero” chances of joining the European Union under the current Government.
Gia Volski, a ruling party MP and the vice speaker of the Georgian parliament, on Tuesday called on the United States and the European Union to “distance themselves” from statements from some Ukrainian government figures about the need to “see Georgia engage in war” amid the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said the “only interest” of “certain representatives” of the Ukrainian Government was to “somehow turn Georgia into a second front” amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday slammed David Arakhamia, a member of the ruling People's Servant party in the Ukrainian Rada of Georgian descent, for making “unfriendly” statements towards Georgia.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday slammed Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, for making “unsubstantiated” allegations towards Georgian authorities.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's European Union Integration Committee, on Tuesday said the Government’s European partners were “acknowledging” the “mistake” of last year’s decision not to grant the country the European Union membership candidate status.