PM Kobakhidze accuses EU of abandoning democratic values in open letter to bloc’s leaders

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has issued an open letter to senior European Union officials accusing the bloc of abandoning fundamental democratic principles and questioning its response to police actions against protesters in Copenhagen.

The letter on Tuesday was addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

In the letter, Kobakhidze described Georgia as a country rooted in European values, saying freedom, human dignity, Christianity and national identity were deeply embedded in Georgian society.

He also criticised what he described as the EU bureaucracy’s unilateral decision to suspend political dialogue with Georgia and reject proposals from Tbilisi for renewed discussions and cooperation.

Referring to clashes involving protesters in Copenhagen, Kobakhidze questioned whether the actions of Danish police were compatible with the democratic and human rights standards promoted by the EU.

“How do you assess the violence that unfolded in Copenhagen, when participants of a peaceful demonstration were beaten with batons and dogs were used against them?” the letter said.

The Georgian PM argued that the images from Copenhagen reflected a broader decline in Europe’s commitment to democracy, freedom of expression and human rights.

Kobakhidze further added Europe risked transforming from a model of democratic governance into what he described as an example of the neglect and violation of fundamental values.

The letter also criticised broader trends within Europe, including what Kobakhidze described as democratic backsliding, economic stagnation, migration pressures and the weakening of national and gender identities.

Kobakhidze said Georgia, as a European country and EU candidate state, expected clear answers from the bloc regarding its future direction and the internal developments taking place within the European Union.