Georgian Parliament official says sovereignty, national values non-negotiable in EU integration

Mariam Lashkhi, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Education, Science, and Youth Affairs Committee, on Thursday reaffirmed Georgia's stance on European integration, emphasising that the country's path toward Europe was inextricably linked to the protection of national sovereignty and traditional values.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Lashkhi noted that “official Tbilisi’s position was crystal clear: European integration for us means, first and foremost, protecting our sovereignty and national values. Nothing will stand as a counterweight to these principles”.

“For us, the main thing is that we are very firm and principled in protecting the interests of our people, our national self-preservation, and the preservation of national identity. Accordingly, we hope that Europe will return to the real Europe”, she said.

“We will observe and support all movements and changes that, above all, are oriented toward strengthening relations among peoples and protecting national interests, which - through the unification of each country’s uniqueness - was the core essence of Europe”, Lashkhi concluded.