Mayor Kaladze accuses European politicians of ‘hostile’ stance over Black Sea strategy without Georgia

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has accused European politicians of pursuing a “hostile” policy towards Georgia after commenting on remarks by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and the prospect of discussing a Black Sea regional strategy without Georgia.

“The hostile attitude towards the Georgian state continues. We know what the main reason for all this is. In general, I find it unimaginable to implement this project without Georgia,” Kaladze told journalists.

He said the approach of some European politicians towards Georgia in recent years had been based on lies, threats and blackmail.

“This is simply a political narrative, a hostile attitude that we have seen towards the Georgian people and the Georgian state in recent years, based solely on lies, falsehoods and slander,” Kaladze said.

He called on European officials, including Kallas, to respect Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and statehood.

Kaladze said the Georgian government had repeatedly expressed readiness for dialogue but claimed European officials had failed to provide arguments or engage in talks.

“We see what their language is like - no dialogue, only threats and blackmail,” he said.

Kaladze also said the Georgian Dream government represented the Georgian people because the party had received majority support in the parliamentary election.

He accused the European bureaucracy of being in a “very serious crisis” and said what he described as its unfair treatment of Georgia was unacceptable.