US Assistant Secretary of State slams Georgian leadership for ‘blocking’ EU, NATO integration

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien, has claimed that Georgian leaders were blocking the necessary reforms for joining the European Union and NATO, during a congressional committee review of the budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 in Washington.

O’Brien emphasized that the EU had repeatedly conveyed to the Georgian government that actions such as violence against the opposition, the adopted foreign influence transparency law and the awarding of a port contract to a Chinese company posed significant threats to Georgia’s European integration.

“Part of our expenses is used for Euro-Atlantic integration. In the last two years, we have witnessed historic consolidation movements. The EU has extended offers to nine countries, indicating a future within the EU. NATO has also engaged in discussions regarding these countries joining the alliance or moving closer to it. However, in some of these countries, like Georgia, leaders are blocking the essential reforms needed for EU and NATO membership. We must collaborate to prevent this. Additionally, Russia is actively trying to influence these regions,” O’Brien said. 

He further noted that over 80 percent of Georgian citizens supported integration with the European Union and NATO.