Georgian PM says Spain, Romania, Italy “backed” his Gov’t in EU despite their rejection of claims

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday claimed that Spain, Romania, and Italy had supported his government’s stance at EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting this week, despite these countries publicly rejecting the assertions.

Kobakhidze claimed that his statement, made the previous day, was based on “reliable and trustworthy” information, which he said showed that several European countries, including Hungary, Slovakia, Luxembourg, “and others”, had opposed sanctions against Georgian officials for its suspension of EU integration and violent dispersal of rallies protesting the decision.

He specifically expressed gratitude to Hungary, Slovakia, and Luxembourg for their support, emphasizing that Luxembourg had been inadvertently omitted from his earlier acknowledgment.

However, the Prime Minister also noted that some countries, including Romania, had initially supported Georgia’s position but later reversed their stance under “external pressure”. He pointed to the involvement of Matthew Miller, the US State Department spokesperson.

Kobakhidze also mentioned that similar reports had circulated about Spain and Italy, with public sources initially indicating that both countries had opposed the sanctions, which aligned with the information his government had received. Despite their later rejections, the Prime Minister maintained that his statement was grounded in reliable sources.

“I would like to thank all the countries that supported Georgia at the Council meeting once again,” Kobakhidze said, reaffirming his government’s position on European integration. He underscored that Georgia’s aspiration to join the European Union was driven by a desire for “dignity, peace, and prosperity”.

Responding to a question about the McCain Institute’s recent statement, which warned of increasing instability and potential violence under the Georgian government’s actions, Kobakhidze dismissed their concerns. The McCain Institute had suggested that any possible death could further destabilize the political environment.
Kobakhidze rejected these claims, stating that the “dreams” of the McCain Institute and similar entities had not materialized.

“They seemed to have hoped for a victim, but our law enforcement swiftly dealt with the violence in Tbilisi,” he said, pointing to the fact that protests had concluded without casualties. “Thank God, everything ended without victims and complications,” Kobakhidze added.

In response to the EU’s call for Georgia to return to the European path, as noted in the recent enlargement report, Kobakhidze criticized the EU’s stance, calling it “absurd.” He argued that while the EU urged Georgia to re-align with European values, it failed to take any meaningful steps itself. “They call on us but don’t want to take a step. The ball is on their side,” Kobakhidze said.

He emphasized that Georgia remained committed to its European aspirations but insisted that negotiations should be open and mutual. “Open negotiations, and we will sign tomorrow,” he concluded.