Ruling Party Emphasizes Georgia's EU Ambitions, Warns Against Blackmail Tactics

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, reaffirmed Georgia's desire to join the European Union, while cautioning against using this goal as a "tool of blackmail" against the country.

In his address at a Tbilisi City Council session, Kaladze stressed the ruling party had not deviated from the European path with the announcement last month that it would not put the opening of the EU accession talks on the agenda until 2028, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgian media.

"Of course, we want Europe, but that does not give anyone the right to instrumentalise this goal and use it as a tool of blackmail against our country. No one should treat the goal of joining the European Union as a bait through which they will try to trick us like little children," the Mayor said.

"Unfortunately, today Georgia was punished again. [...] Is this European justice? The question is rhetorical, and the answer is the Prime Minister's statement of November 28, when we made a decision to place all responsibility [for integration] on EU institutions. We openly said that the fate of opening the talks depends solely on them, and this should not become a topic of political speculation," he continued.

Kaladze further claimed that protest rallies across the country against the Government’s decision were “part of a plan calculated and ordered in advance” for the post-election period.

"No one has ever won through hatred, all these attempts are futile and temporary. We know from recent history what the civil conflict has brought to Georgia, which our external and internal enemies are so eager for. This will be disastrous for our country, which we will not allow. Today the state is strong, all state institutions are strong, and most importantly, today the Government enjoys the support of a majority of citizens," he continued.

Kaladze claimed the campaign promise of the Georgian Dream party had been an “echo of the priorities of citizens - [those of] peace, prosperity, a dignified European future”, and further added that “we are guarding this trust, and will not allow anyone to trample on the choice of the majority of our people”.