Parliament chair denies link between Hungary’s position on Ukraine and Georgia’s EU candidacy

Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of Georgia’s Parliament, on Wednesday dismissed any connection between Hungary’s stance on Ukraine and the European Council’s forthcoming decision this week whether to grant Tbilisi the European Union candidacy. 

In his press comments the official emphasized the Georgian people should not be subjected to diplomatic maneuvering where their country becomes a “bargaining chip” in international negotiations, currently involving Hungary and the EU, as Budapest opposes opening accession talks with Ukraine and a new aid package for the country amid its conflict with Russia. 

Papuashvili addressed the issue, stating, “as for Hungary’s position, how much it can influence Georgia, I don’t think it has any influence. I don’t think there is any connection between Hungary’s position towards Ukraine and the European Union’s position towards Georgia. The attempt to connect it is to instrumentalize the issue of Georgia.”

He further expressed concern over the use of Georgia as a political tool, stating that such an approach is not in line with European values. “This is not a European approach; the Georgian people do not deserve an approach where the issue of Georgia is used as a weapon in negotiations, and decisions are made at the expense of each other.”

Papuashvili commended the Georgian government’s steadfastness on the importance of every vote within the bloc. “It is thanks to our government that there is unanimity in this regard in the EU,” he affirmed.