EU Ambassador: Georgian Gov’t’s decision to halt EU integration for four years ‘extremely disappointing’

EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, expressed “deep disappointment” on Friday over the Georgian government’s decision to suspend its pursuit of European Union integration for the next four years.

Speaking to journalists, Herczyński described the announcement as a “sovereign decision” but emphasized its regrettable nature.

“We have opened our door, the door of the EU, to Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova. Ukraine and Moldova are moving forward rapidly. As we heard yesterday, Georgia is no longer interested in following the path of EU integration for the next four years. This is a sovereign decision of the Georgian government, it is extremely disappointing, extremely sad,” Herczyński said.

The Ambassador underscored the importance of the Georgian people determining the country’s direction.

“My message will be, we support the Georgian people, we will wait for you. This is your country; you should decide where you want it to be,” he added.

The announcement comes amid growing political and civil unrest in Georgia, reflecting a divide between the government’s decisions and public aspirations for closer ties with Europe.