Georgia is getting closer to Russia and further from European integration and European democratic values. The Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, refused to meet with a delegation of heads of committees from the parliaments of eight EU countries. The reason was critical statements by European politicians regarding the ruling party, "Georgian Dream." In effect, the Georgian government is stepping away from a negotiation format that could have resolved the political crisis following the parliamentary elections. The government is ignoring the opinion of the majority of Georgians who want to live in Europe and strive for European values and standards. 

"It is impossible to present Europe as a peace project and simultaneously sow chaos in the country on behalf of Europe," said Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, who refused to meet with the group of parliament members from various countries who arrived in Tbilisi.

In the coming days, a group of deputies from several EU countries will arrive in Georgia. This group also wanted to meet with the Speaker of Parliament and the heads of some parliamentary committees. Papuashvili noted that "given the repeatedly demonstrated unfriendly attitude towards Georgia by some members of the delegation, there should be no other expectations." The Speaker of Parliament also accused the EU of "foreign interference in the October 26 elections."  

According to Lithuanian Seimas member Žygimantas Pavilionis, the Georgian Speaker’s refusal to meet with the delegation of EU member state parliamentarians is a Soviet approach.

"This is very Soviet because I noticed this trend 3-4 years ago: those who criticized the Georgian government were no longer met with. For the last three years, I often came here, and they could not hold meetings. If you are criticized, generally, they no longer meet with you—this is a Soviet approach," said Pavilionis.

The politician also emphasized that the EU accession process is a negotiation process between governments, and decisions are made not only in the European Council, European Commission, and European Parliament.

"The Georgian government cannot pass the exam. The EU accession talks are an intergovernmental process, and a single mistake is enough to end it. 'Georgian Dream' lies when it says it can be a guarantee of EU membership," stated Pavilionis.

Source: https://www.interpressnews.ge, https://ru.netgazeti.ge