President Kavelashvili: talk of ‘suspending EU talks’ was artificially inflated

President Mikheil Kavelashvili on Friday said claims that Georgia halted EU accession talks were artificially created and stressed that the government continued to move steadily toward European integration.

Speaking to journalists in Telavi, Kavelashvili claimed the earlier controversy surrounding the government’s stance on EU membership negotiations was based on deliberate misinterpretation.

“If you remember, there was a major uproar when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia was temporarily suspending negotiations on EU accession. In reality, our readiness is directed toward 2028,” Kavelashvili said.

“Back then, we were already explaining that the discussion about a ‘pause’ began in June, when the European Union itself had indicated it - but who listened? No one, because it was an artificially created process,” he noted.

Kavelashvili called on the public to assess the government’s actions objectively and to resist misinformation.

“People should listen to the government and evaluate it fairly. No one is asking them to be political supporters, but they should perceive reality justly and maintain fairness toward their own state,” the President stated.

He reaffirmed that Georgia’s European course was irreversible and recognized by the majority of the population.

“We have chosen this path and are following it calmly and firmly. The majority of our citizens see it clearly. Unfortunately, some people have become victims of disinformation and double standards, continuing this self-sacrifice to their own detriment. But Georgia continues to develop in parallel,” Kavelashvili added.