Europe, 'Eurobureaucracy' viewed differently by Georgians, Vice PM

Georgia's Vice Prime Minister and State Minister for Coordination of Law Enforcement Agencies, Mamuka Mdinaradze, said on Friday that many Georgians now distinguish between Europe and what he described as "Eurobureaucracy", arguing that the latter's decisions do not reflect European values.

Speaking at a briefing at the Government Administration, Mdinaradze said Europe had traditionally been associated in Georgia with dignity, freedom of speech, justice and Christian cultural values, while recent decisions by European institutions had created a different perception.

"The longer this attitude from Eurobureaucrats continues, the more respect for Europe itself unfortunately erodes because of Eurobureaucracy. This is regrettable and not good news," he said.

Mdinaradze compared the situation to the final years of former President Mikheil Saakashvili's administration, claiming that while some portrayed Georgia as "a beacon of democracy", the country was in reality becoming increasingly repressive.

He also accused some international actors of equating Georgia with Saakashvili's government, arguing that a similar distinction should now be made between Europe and the European Union's bureaucracy.

"European values are one thing, while the decisions of Eurobureaucracy are another. Today, nothing damages attitudes towards Europe more than the decisions made by Eurobureaucrats," Mdinaradze said.