Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, spoke at a press conference about the country’s relations with the European Union. He emphasized that Georgia–EU ties are two-way and cannot be one-sided.
Kobakhidze said that it is unacceptable for Georgia to consider integration into the EU as a favor from Europe. “We are a proud and self-respecting nation with a long history,” he stated. The Prime Minister added that Georgia values traditional European principles and has always looked up to Europe for protection of Christianity.
Georgia, Kobakhidze said, can enrich the EU just as much as the EU can enrich Georgia. He stressed that it is the responsibility of the Georgian government to make the country a full-fledged member of the European family by 2030.
The Prime Minister criticized some European politicians and bureaucrats for portraying Georgia-EU relations as one-sided. He also condemned insults made against Georgia, saying they have been used as blackmail by those who do not want to see Georgia join the EU.