MEP Cristian Terheș criticises EU rhetoric on Georgia, calls for dialogue during European Parliament debate

Member of the European Parliament Cristian Terheș on Wednesday said that the speeches delivered during the plenary debate on Georgia do not help the country and instead focus mainly on criticism.

Speaking at the European Parliament during a debate dedicated to Georgia, Terheș recalled the international response to the Russo-Georgian War, when Russia attacked Georgia in 2008.

“The speeches we hear in this plenary session today do not help Georgia at all. On the contrary, in 2008, when Russia attacked Georgia, not only this plenary session but many other parliaments around the world adopted and sent numerous resolutions - and nothing more”, the MEP said.

He further highlighted that it was the Georgian people who ultimately paid the price for choosing a Western path for their country.

Terheș also criticised what he described as a persistent trend of criticism toward Georgia in the European Parliament.

“Since 2019, when I became a member of this plenary, every time we discuss Georgia, we only criticize the country. We criticize Georgia because the Georgian people elected a certain government; we criticize it for one reason or another”, he continued.

The Romanian MEP questioned the international community’s response to Russia following the 2008 war.

“Where were you in 2008 when Russia attacked Georgia? What did you do, and what did we all do after 2008 to stop Russia, other than issuing simple statements?” he asked.

Terheș acknowledged claims that people may currently be detained in Georgia but stressed that dialogue with the government is necessary to address such issues.

“You claim that people are now detained in Georgia. That may be true. But if we do not communicate with the government, how do you think we will be able to help these people? Therefore, I call not for banning or stopping discussions, but for reengagement with them in order to resolve all potential problems”, he concluded.