Georgian FM: Brussels has not clarified how Georgian laws contradict EU standards

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said that during recent discussions in Brussels, the Georgian delegation was able to present its positions in a constructive environment and once again emphasiსe to the European Union that it is unacceptable for legitimately adopted Georgian laws to become subjects of political debate without clear explanations of how they allegedly contradict EU principles.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili commented on a meeting held between the Georgian delegation and EU representatives regarding visa-free travel, noting that the meeting was organised in accordance with EU regulations, which require dialogue with a partner country whenever the EU activates its visa suspension mechanism.

She noted that the discussions unfolded largely as expected, with a significant focus on political issues despite the fact that the meeting was primarily attended by experts and was not held at a high political level.

“Nevertheless, in a constructive environment, we were able to voice our positions and once again underline to the EU side that it is impossible to discuss issues that have already produced tangible results - such as visa-free travel - while at the same time treating legitimately adopted laws in Georgia as matters of political dispute”, she continued.

Botchorishvili argued that the Georgian government has yet to receive specific explanations from the EU regarding which principles or standards are allegedly violated by the country’s recently adopted legislation.

“There was no discussion of specific articles of the laws, and once again we did not hear from the EU exactly how the transparency law or the grants law conflict with any EU standard”, she said.

The Minister added that the meeting provided an important opportunity for the Georgian delegation to present its position directly in Brussels, including to representatives of the European Commission.

“These laws stem from Georgia’s national interests and are directly linked to the country’s stability and security. That is precisely why they were adopted. For us, it is inconceivable that the existence of these laws could hinder dialogue with the European Union, Georgia’s accession process, or broader relations with the EU”, Botchorishvili said.

She concluded by raising what she described as a fundamental political question.

“Does this mean that stability and security in Georgia are obstacles to dialogue with the European Union? That is the logic such criticism suggests. This is a question that should be addressed within the framework of political dialogue, and unfortunately, it is a question that we have not yet received an answer to from the EU side”, the Minister concluded.