MEPs Kubilius, Jukneviciene urge Georgian govt to quit if they’re unable to bring Georgia to EU

MEPs Andrius Kubilius and Rasa Jukneviciene have urged the Georgian Dream authorities to “pass power over others” if they are unable to ensure genuine progress on the country’s path to the EU.

In an open letter to the Georgian people released on Monday, the MEPs suggested that granting EU candidate status “is not a matter of convincing us, friends of Georgia, by words, it is a matter of real commitment and united effort that has to be demonstrated by the Government, the political opposition, and the people.”

“The Georgian Government must realize that a solution to Georgia’s problems is in Tbilisi, not in Brussels. If this challenge is too big for this Government, there are democratic ways to pass it over to others, without grabbing onto the chairs at all costs. On the other hand, the opposition parties must also find the strength to rise above separate issues and propose a credible strategy of European integration to the people of Georgia and to show a credible leadership, which is needed for such a task,” said the MEPs.

The MEPs stated that for a long time, Georgia was “at the forefront” of the path towards EU integration.

“However, today the prevailing perception in the European Union, and the European Parliament, is that the situation in Georgia has deteriorated in the last couple of years. Despite many warnings, the current Government did not do a proper job to maintain Georgia at the forefront of EU integration. This also made the work of friends of Georgia in the EU and USA much more difficult.”

They stated that “looking with outsiders’ eyes, the picture is rather bleak at this time,” noting that the “oligarchisation and consequently polarisation in Georgia remains high and concentrated in the hands of one person who is not accountable to the people through democratic elections.”

 “In addition, the Georgian ruling party’s position on Ukraine and EU sanctions on Russia in the background of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is difficult to understand. Ukrainians are defending not only their territory and homes, but also democracy, freedom, and European values, which are important to Georgia too,” said the MEPs.

The MEPs suggested that “we cannot help but think that somebody in the ruling circles in Georgia is actively doing everything to stop Georgia from joining the EU. If they succeed, this will be a terrible loss not only for Georgia, but also for the EU, and big win for Putin’s regime.”