Georgia’s Parliament Speaker declines meeting with MPs from EU member states, citing political bias

The Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has declined to meet with a delegation led by Lithuanian MP Zhigimantas Pavilionis, which includes parliament members from several EU countries currently visiting Georgia. In a public letter, Papuashvili expressed his concerns over the delegation’s “political bias” and previous “unfriendly attitude” towards Georgia.

Papuashvili’s letter outlined his reasons for refusal, including the group’s alleged past interference in Georgia’s electoral process, which he claimed violated Georgian law and principles of international non-interference.

He criticized the delegation members for supporting opposition movements and promoting “disinformation” about Georgian internal affairs, including issues related to the imprisonment conditions of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, which he said had been “proven false” by the European Court of Human Rights.

Papuashvili also emphasized the importance of respecting Georgia’s sovereignty and suggested that the actions of some European politicians have fueled political polarization in the country, especially during the recent election period. According to him, these behaviors risk damaging Georgia’s perception of the EU as a partner and undermine confidence in the EU’s commitment to democratic principles.

In his letter, the Speaker expressed his willingness to continue dialogue with members of the delegation who adhere to parliamentary diplomacy principles, equality, and respect for Georgia’s sovereignty. He warned that efforts to “sow chaos” in the name of European values contradict the image of Europe as a “project of peace.”