Georgian PM: EU integration must be compatible with national interests

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that Georgia remains committed to European integration but will prioritize national interests whenever they come into conflict with specific foreign policy objectives.

Speaking during his annual address to Parliament on Friday , Kobakhidze expressed hope that European institutions would ensure that Georgia's path toward integration with the European Union is fully aligned with the country's national interests.

“I have great hope that in the near future the European bureaucracy will ensure that the goal of European integration is compatible with Georgia's national interests and the interests of the Georgian people. In such a case, all problems in these relations would be resolved immediately,” Kobakhidze said.

The prime minister stressed that while EU integration remains a constitutional objective, Georgia would not compromise its sovereignty or national dignity in pursuit of membership.

“Membership in any international alliance has no value without dignity. Therefore, we will continue to follow this principled approach. Wherever there is a conflict between national interests and a specific foreign policy objective, we will act in accordance with national interests,” he claimed.

Addressing Article 78 of Georgia's Constitution, which obliges constitutional bodies to take all measures within their powers to ensure the country's integration into the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Kobakhidze argued that the provision should be interpreted as requiring all reasonable measures toward integration.

Kobakhidze, who chaired the constitutional commission responsible for drafting the current constitution, said the principle of legal hierarchy requires that constitutional provisions concerning state sovereignty take precedence if they come into conflict with a specific foreign policy objective.

According to the prime minister, such a dilemma emerged in late 2024, when the government believed that Article 78 was being used to exert political pressure on Georgia.

He defended the government's November 28 decision regarding the country's EU accession process, arguing that it helped prevent what he described as repeated and unfair assessments of Georgia's readiness to open accession negotiations.

“Had that statement not been made, we would have continued hearing every three months that Georgia did not deserve to open negotiations. For two years we faced what we considered unfair treatment and double standards,” Kobakhidze said.

The prime minister reiterated that European integration remains one of Georgia's key strategic objectives and referenced the ruling Georgian Dream party's election slogan, “Towards Europe with dignity and prosperity,” as reflecting the government's approach.