Georgian PM to skip Europe Day event, citing protocol violation

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday announced that he will not attend the Europe Day event planned in Tbilisi, which is being organized by the European Union.

Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze said that the decision was driven by what he described as a breach of protocol by the European Union. "[We will not be there], protocol standards have been violated. The protocol is that when a specific embassy plans an event, they should send an invitation to the government’s address," Kobakhidze explained. "Because they violated this protocol and continued the Soviet approach that specific European officials are demonstrating, the protocol was violated, therefore, we will not be there. This is their decision, which was made with Soviet approaches."

Europe Day, celebrated annually on May 9, marks the birth of the European Union and is recognized across Europe as a symbol of peace and unity.

Kobakhidze, as the country’s PM, late last year announced the delay in the EU integration until 2028, pointing to alleged blackmail from the bloc to “drag” Tbilisi into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

The move has caused continued protests in the country, with demonstrators accusing the GD authorities of aligning with pro-Kremlin interests.