Georgia refused to negotiate accession to the EU until the end of 2028 –

The Georgian authorities decided to suspend until 2028 discussions with the European Union on the start of negotiations on the country’s accession to the EU. This statement was made by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at a briefing after a meeting of the leaders of the parliamentary majority with members of the government and the political council of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

“Today we decided not to put the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028. We are also refusing all budget grants from the European Union until the end of 2028,” Sputnik Georgia quotes him as saying.

According to Kobakhidze, the EU was causing reputational damage to Georgia by using the topic of negotiations as a tool of pressure. Now the Georgian authorities intend to demonstrate to European officials that they need to communicate with them “not through blackmail and insults, but with dignity.”

Kobakhidze stressed that it is “categorically unacceptable for Georgia to consider integration into the EU as alms.”

Earlier, the Georgian prime minister presented to parliament a government program entitled “Only with peace, dignity and prosperity to Europe.” He noted that the main priority of foreign policy is to reset relations with the United States and the European Union.

“Our task, as follows from our slogan and government program, is to move towards the European Union. This path will be difficult. We have about six years ahead of us. Our goal, as has already been said, is membership in the European Union by 2030,” he said.

The toughening of rhetoric occurred after the publication of a resolution of the European Parliament, according to which MEPs do not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and demand a new vote to be held within a year.

They also called for the introduction of sanctions against members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, including its honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili and Irakli Kobakhidze. They are accused of abandoning democratic principles and abuse of power.

In addition, the EP condemned Russia for allegedly interfering in the democratic processes of Georgia by spreading false information that the opposition is acting on orders from the West and wants to drag Georgia into a war with the Russian Federation.

Pragmatism in Russia

At the same time, speaking to the Georgian government, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced Tbilisi’s intention to act pragmatically when building relations with Moscow.

“Pragmatic policy is one of the most important tools for us to maintain peace and protect our strategic interests. Resolving the conflict between Georgia and Russia will, of course, remain one of the most important priorities,” he said.

According to him, another key goal is to return the territories lost in 2008 in a peaceful manner, but its achievement will depend on global trends and processes in the region.

He emphasized that there are red lines in Russian-Georgian relations, which Tbilisi will strictly adhere to: “This is due to the de-occupation of our territories. We have our own goals, and these red lines will be maintained until the end.”

“We have reached political maturity”

The decision of the Georgian authorities to postpone the start of negotiations on accession to the EU “indicates a decrease in the attractiveness of the European Union,” says leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, political scientist Alexander Dudchak.

“For some reason, it is generally accepted in Europe that they are so attractive that everyone dreams of joining the EU. These are all tales of a long-gone past. There is no Europe that we would like to join… Now what could be attractive about this Europe? With the propaganda of so-called European values, with the invasion of migrants, with the degradation of the economy and the loss of sovereignty. Nothing. Georgia says that we are in no hurry until 2028, and then we will see,” explained RT’s interlocutor.

According to him, all statements by the ruling party of Georgia about their desire to go to the West are due to many mistakes made by their predecessors.

“They are simply forced to interact with both the EU and the United States, but they show a willingness to defend their sovereignty. Now at the head of Georgia there are more or less sober-minded people who are trying to do everything possible so that the Georgian people live better, live in safety and tranquility. This is not in the plans of the United States and the European Union, which is a backup dancer for Washington. They don’t need it. They need another hot spot on the borders with Russia, so they are trying to force Georgia to act in a light favorable to them, which the Georgian authorities are resisting,” Dudchak concluded.

Irakli Kobakhidze’s statements reflect the maturity of the current Georgian leadership. This opinion was expressed in a conversation with RT by Vladimir Olenchenko, a senior researcher at the Center for European Studies at IMEMO RAS.

“They really pursue a pragmatic policy, which is to defend the national interests of Georgia. They do not make loud statements, do not engage in anti-Russian attacks, remain neutral to the Ukrainian agenda, and this is already building relations with Russia. That is, they do not create difficulties for maintaining normal business contacts, which will meet both the interests of Russia and the interests of Georgia,” he said.

In his opinion, “curtses” towards the United States and the European Union were made to remove objections from the Georgian opposition.

“In case of misunderstanding, representatives of the Georgian authorities can say: “We have already communicated our interest in strengthening cooperation with the United States and the European Union.” Thus, we can conclude that the current Georgian politicians who are at the helm of the Georgian Dream party are experienced and far-sighted leaders who are capable of both implementing practical steps in the interests of their country and using diplomatic techniques to mitigate the discontent of the opposition,” Olenchenko emphasized.

A unique situation has developed in Georgia, in which pro-Western forces are fighting with pro-Western forces, stated political scientist Ivan Mezyukho in a conversation with RT. According to him, Georgian Dream, which the opposition calls a pro-Russian party, has long been oriented toward the West.

“The only difference is that the “dreamers” have a strong note of nationally oriented policies and their own political program, which does not satisfy either the United States or the European Union. Because relations within the Western bloc of states are built on the principle of destroying national sovereignty and independence,” he explained.

The expert emphasized that the states of the collective West are not expected to have any independence in foreign policy.

“The course towards pragmatism with Russia is an attempt by Georgia to build an independent policy while remaining part of the Western project. This approach is unacceptable neither for Brussels nor for Washington. Therefore, the prospects for Georgia’s accession to the European Union are very vague. I think that every year Tbilisi moves further and further away from the mythical European prospects. In addition, I do not rule out that in a few years Georgia may reconsider its foreign policy goals. This can be facilitated by objective geopolitical factors, which cannot be ignored, including by regional players, such as Georgia,” Mezyukho explained.