Georgian PM claims President “responding with lie” to Gov’t’s announcement of halt of EU accession talks

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday claimed President Salome Zourabichvili was “responding with a lie” to his Government’s announcement of a halt of EU accession talks until 2028.

The comment came after Zourabichvili on Thursday declared herself as “the only legitimate institution" and urged the diplomatic corps to support the conduct of new elections and called on the opposition to take “reasonable and coordinated actions”.

Kobakhidze alleged Zourabichvili was “trying in every way to oppose” the ruling team.

Salome Zourabichvili may not have the ability to understand what she hears, but at least her administration should have the ability to understand what it hears and reads”, the PM said.

“When you respond to all this with lies, naturally, this once again speaks of Salome Zourabichvili's real intentions - she cannot renounce her seat. She is trying in every way to oppose the ruling team, she does not recognise the election results. [But] I would not place much importance on her actions”, he noted.

Kobakhidze on Thursday announced the suspension of the EU accession talks and the Government’s refusal to receive the bloc’s budget grants until 2028, citing interest in “dignified” integration amid a “cascade of insults and blackmail by European politicians and bureaucrats”.