Georgian Speaker claims West misrepresents European values

Georgia’s Parliamentary Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, has accused Western officials of misrepresenting European values and imposing a patronizing stance toward Georgia, arguing that it is time for Tbilisi to challenge the prevailing narrative.

“The moment has come when we should start explaining what European values really mean,” Papuashvili said during a press statement on Thursday. 

Papuashvili criticized what he described as a selective and superficial application of European principles by some EU officials and diplomats, claiming “some groups and politicians have become too accustomed to teaching Georgians what values are, as if Georgian values are somehow inferior.”

He went on to accuse certain European diplomats of crossing the line into domestic politics, in violation of diplomatic norms, particularly Article 41 of the Vienna Convention. He alleged that some ambassadors stationed in Tbilisi were acting more like opposition politicians than neutral representatives, “contributing to polarization and undermining Georgia’s sovereignty.”

According to Papuashvili, legitimate criticism from the Georgian side was often dismissed or framed as hostility. “Criticism is met with a dumb attitude - as if it’s an attack or insult. That is not a European value,” he said.

The Speaker also reiterated accusations that EU funds have supported extremist groups and propaganda within Georgia.