Georgia’s parliamentary majority leader Kirtskhalia: Those who followed EU commissioner’s ‘roadmap’ to unrest now seeking plea deals from prison

Those who sought to foment unrest in Georgia and forcibly remove the country’s elected government under what he described as the European Commissioner’s “roadmap” are now serving prison sentences and seeking plea deals, Georgia’s parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia said.

Kirtskhalia made the remarks in response to EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who said Georgia was lagging behind Ukraine and Moldova and would therefore not receive a roadmap for EU accession.

According to Kirtskhalia, Georgia has its own “roadmap” one based on moving forward with dignity which he said would ultimately lead the country to success.

The parliamentary majority leader stressed that Georgia wants to join the European Union, but not at any cost or at the expense of the country’s national interests.

“European Commissioner Marta Kos says Georgia is lagging behind Ukraine and Moldova and will therefore not receive a roadmap for accession.

“If ‘progress’ in Brussels today is measured by how unquestioningly a country complies with specific political demands, then this is no longer merit-based European integration it is an assessment of unquestioning obedience.

“The Georgian government has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to implement the reforms required for European integration. But for us, there are red lines, national interests and the need to respect the decisions of a government elected by the Georgian people.

“We want EU membership, but not at any cost and not at the expense of Georgia’s interests. Therefore, when we are told that Georgia is ‘lagging behind’ Ukraine and Moldova, our answer is simple: Georgia chooses dignity and peace.

“We respect a Europe in which Georgia is treated as an equal state, not as a country that is dictated to from abroad about what it must give up in order to earn the status of a ‘good student.’

“And finally, those who, following the European Commissioner’s ‘roadmap,’ sought to foment unrest in the country and forcibly overthrow the government elected by the people are now serving prison sentences and seeking plea agreements.

“Georgia’s ‘roadmap’ is one of moving forward with dignity and it is through this path that we will ultimately achieve success,” Kirtskhalia wrote on social media.