EU decision-makers “unfairly pushed away” Georgia's bid for candidate status in 2022 - PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday criticised the European Union’s decision in June 2022 to reject the country’s bid for being granted a membership candidate status, calling the move “unfair and unjustified”. 

During a press briefing, Kobakhidze responded to ongoing protests against the Government’s recent decision to delay the country’s European Union accession talks until 2028, and argued those currently protesting the delay domestically and abroad were targeting the Government instead of criticising the EU for rejecting the country’s candidacy in 2022.

The exact same people who are protesting our decision today protested against us then. They did not protest the EU's decision, which lacked any explanation or justification. They protested against the Government. For these individuals, protesting is an end in itself. It does not matter who made the decision”, Kobakhidze claimed.

The official alleged the EU had “continued to refuse” Georgia's candidacy despite “numerous requests from the Georgian Government”. 

For a year and a half, we literally begged them to grant us candidate status. They did not grant it - in December, nor in the spring. They artificially delayed our country, and the Government was labelled as not pro-European”, he said.

Kobakhidze further criticised the EU’s approach in December 2023, claiming the issue of candidacy had been used as a “tool of blackmail” before the country obtained it in late December of last year. 

But now, this year, the blackmail has resumed with the topic of opening of accession negotiations. Once again, they claim we are not pro-European”, Kobakhidze asserted. 

He described the treatment as “nonsense” and "a paradox”, accusing European officials of “unfairly blackmailing” Georgia and its Government. 

This is not a fair approach”, he said, adding that European politicians and bureaucrats had previously referenced the Maidan protests in their “threats”.

Despite his criticism, the PM expressed confidence in Georgia's future, saying “ultimately, everything will be fine for our country”.