Parliament Speaker says Georgian people’s “main message” to enter EU with “dignity, peace, prosperity” has been lost in noise of violent protests across country

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said Georgia must become a member of the European Union “with dignity, peace and prosperity”.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that it was “this message that was distinguishing the ruling Georgian Dream party’s foreign policy from the domestic opposition's “meaningless, falsely emotional, and noisy” campaign.

“Over the past week, our people have not heard a single meaningful message, a single meaningful appeal, a single sensible proposal on how we can help our country become part of Europe without harming our national interests, the security and economic well-being of our citizens. Europe’s response to our events has also been lost in the noise of violence. While opposition-run television stations have been persistently broadcasting the pathetic appeals of some biased European politicians, the messages coming from Europe’s most authoritative institutions have been completely different”, the Speaker said.

“We see that there are forces organised around their own mercantile interests, sheltered by Europe, and there are institutions that are not subject to the conjuncture, speak the truth, and protect the value of truth. And we face a choice, what should we strive for? For the resolutions imbued with lies drafted by some odious members of the European Parliament, which sometimes demand the release of [the imprisoned former President Mikheil] Saakashvili and sometimes the acquittal of [David] Kezerashvili [the wanted former Defence Minister in the United National Movement Government] or for the decisions of such institutions as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights election report or the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights”, he continued.

Papuashvili noted that the picture was “clear” and the ruling party chose the European Court of Human Rights, which had been reviewing the decisions of the Georgian judiciary for the past ten years as well as the assessments made impartially by the OSCE mission regarding the parliamentary elections held in Georgia and further added that “our opponents, however, condemn everything, reject the truth as a lie, and passionately support any intention that undermines the country”.

Papuashvili extended his gratitude for the Georgian voters “who saw our choice, trusted us and supported us” and vowed not to undermine this trust and continue to do everything “to show the opposition voters our truth, so that they can compare it to the shameless and irresponsible behavior of the [opposition] parties they elected”.

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“The majority of the [Georgian] citizens chose peace, stability, a European future and the reunification of the country. Unfortunately, revanchists and radical forces are betraying not only the country and the state, but also the trust of their voters. In recent days, we are witnessing just such a desperate attempt. It has not worked and will not work”, Papuashvili said.

“The current protest has no content. That is why we have not heard the speeches, that is why they have avoided debates, that is why they have preferred noise to conversation. They are protesting what does not exist in nature. No one is able to say and name a specific and tangible factor that the European Union is offering us and the Government refuses. We all know that the possibility of European Union membership will only be in 2030. Our plan is aimed at this date. The opening of talks is in the hands of European bodies. Georgia deserves [EU membership] the most and is the most ready to start the [accession talk] process. They will open it for us, we will accept it, sign it and implement it”, he continued.

Papuashvili stressed that recent years made it clear that Georgia was facing artificial barriers on its European path.

“Elections were held in Georgia, all parties received the number of votes they received, Georgia is a member of the European family and deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and equality. We, as a country with a truly indigenous European culture, will continue to act in a civilised manner. We are working on the development and progress of the country, not on pleasing anyone”, he noted.

Papuashvili highlighted that despite repeated accusations that the Georgian police were harassing or persecuting anyone, peaceful protest was completely “free and unrestricted”, adding that the police acted only when aggressive groups began to attack and use violence against police officers.

“The fact that these days of violence were pre-organised by radical parties was easily confirmed by the police action carried out two days ago, when the entire public saw how many fireworks and other things intended for violent attacks were removed from the offices of the [opposition] parties. The public also saw that as soon as these materials were removed and the organisers of the violence were arrested, the protest turned peaceful on the same day”, Papuashvili said.

Papuashvili stressed that the goal of organising a coup, revolution, the collapse of the country, and sabotage was not achieved.

“That is why the only reasonable alternative is on the table. Everyone must return to the constitutional field, abandon senseless clashes and aggression that harm citizens, and continue party activities in compliance with the law”, Papuashvili noted.