Statements on Georgia's EU Candidacy by Georgian Dream MP, Premier Garibashvili, and President Zourabichvili
Dimitri Khundadze, a member of the Georgian Dream party, responded to a resolution of the European Parliament denouncing the infringement of press freedom in Georgia. MP Khundadze stated that Georgia will not compromise its honour in exchange for EU candidate status.
The resolution also asked to pursue former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for his destructive role in Georgian politics. "Despite being aware of the anti-state activities of the Georgian opposition in Europe, the EP vote exceeded all limits," said the member, calling the law "an evident insult to the Georgian people." According to MP Khundadze, no authority could threaten Bidzina Ivanishvili or the Georgian government with sanctions. "We had the impression that Georgia's independence was once again in jeopardy," said politician Khundundadze. "What difference does it make who will govern us if it means we'll have to fight for our independence all over again?" he said, contrasting Georgia's invading Russia with the European Union. He scolded the European Parliament for ignoring Georgia's enormous contribution to the formation of Europe and said that contemporary Europe is now hurting Georgians, one of the nations that founded European ideas.
Irakli Garibashvili, the prime minister of Georgia, held the same view: "We are a self-respecting nation, one of the world's oldest civilizations, with an ancient culture and a peaceful, proud populace." Irakli Garibashvili has vowed to "lift the veil” and explain everything to the Georgian people if the EU's decision regarding Georgia's status as a candidate is unjust and disrespectful to the Georgian country and people. He stated that the candidate status is crucial, but Georgia must wait until June 23 and 24 to determine the true European partners' view of the Georgian people and nation.
In light of the European Parliament's recent unfavourable resolution on press freedom in Georgia and sanctions against Ivanishvili, journalists questioned him about Georgia's chances of being an EU candidate. He expressed confidence that "Europe will make a prudent decision" that is in Georgia's and Europe's best interests rather than Russia's. "Such a resolution by the European Parliament is not essential to this candidacy decision-making process, and its role is best described as symbolic." Prime Minister Garibashvili referred to the resolution as a "spectacle," adding that "the nation's external and domestic opponents are ecstatic, as if a miracle is unfolding and the nation is losing a miracle." The PM added that the resolution "is rife with untruths, false facts, and insults."
President Salome Zourabichvili criticized Georgia's response to the European Parliament's scathing judgment, alleging it hinders her ability to "effectively" defend the country's EU membership application. President Zourabichvili indicated that she travelled to Brussels in an effort to garner support for the EU candidacy but was denied permission by the government for this trip. She also stated that she desired to visit France, Poland, and possibly Ukraine. The President reiterated that the Constitution requires her to do "all possible" to accelerate the EU membership process. She stated that she does not foresee a future for Georgia apart from that of Europe and that Georgian children's future cannot be sacrificed for the sake of Europe's ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, imprisoned TV chief Nika Gvaramia, or Bidzina Ivanishvili.
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