Kobakhidze says Georgia seeks European integration with dignity

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said his country wanted to pursue European integration with dignity, accusing the European bureaucracy of opposing the principles of sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law.

Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Kobakhidze said Georgia is ready to engage in dialogue with its European partners on all issues, Report's Georgian bureau informs.

He said Georgian society supported both European integration and the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Kobakhidze recalled that Georgian Dream received more than 1.1 million votes in the 2024 parliamentary elections, describing the result as evidence of public support for the party's foreign policy and steps toward European integration.

He noted that integration into Europe with dignity had been one of the party's main election messages.

"We only want to continue our path toward European integration with dignity. Dignity encompasses, among other things, specific values and principles - sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law. Unfortunately, we see the European bureaucracy opposing these principles," he said.

Kobakhidze described European political statements about Georgia's judiciary as interference in independent justice, and demands to release people accused of violent acts as an attack on the rule of law.

The prime minister said his government considered no topic off limits, stressing that discussions should be public so that citizens could be fully informed about their substance.

"We are ready for open discussions on all issues, but those discussions must take place before the public. The public must know exactly what the dialogue between the Georgian government and the European bureaucracy involves," he said.