Parliamentary Committee Chair: Georgian Dream Gov’t “only force” focused on meeting EU membership conditions
MP Maka Bochorishvili claimed that, “unlike others, the GD Government has never betrayed the country, its people, or its national interests. Photo: Parliament press office
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Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee in the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday said “peace, stable economic and democratic development” were “crucial” for the country’s European Union membership and claimed only the Government was “actively engaged” in meeting the conditions.
In her comments at the legislative body, Botchorishvili commended the current administration for securing the EU membership candidate status last year and implementing “successful reforms” over the years.
Highlighting the significance of the October 26 general elections, the Committee Chair said holding the vote in a free and fair environment was one of the nine conditions set by the EU last year for opening accession negotiations with Tbilisi.
While it is often suggested to focus on the future and not dwell on the past, it is important to acknowledge the challenges we have faced over the past four years to make informed decisions for the future”, Botchorishvili said. “It seems to have become common to criticise the Georgian Government on baseless or exaggerated grounds, creating crises in international relations and then demanding that the Government address issues caused by others”, she added.
“Ignoring the past is a mistake. Instead, we should analyse the events of the past four years, as they shape our present and future, and require appropriate responses. [Election environment is] also one of the nine recommendations from the EU. It is clear who is committed to ensuring the rules are followed and who aims to discredit the electoral process”, the MP said.
Botchorishvili further claimed that, “unlike others, the GD Government has never betrayed the country, its people, or its national interests, adding the authorities remained “steadfast in our commitment to building Georgia's European future, as we have successfully done in the past years” and telling lawmakers the public was “right in their choice”.