Georgian PM: European space gradually moves away from principles once made it symbol of democracy, protection of human rights throughout the world

There is a growing sense that European space is gradually moving away from the principles that once made it a symbol of democracy and the protection of human rights throughout the world, said on Tuesday the Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze in his open letter to the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the European Council president Antonio Costa and the European Parliament president Roberta Metsola.

In his open letter, Kobakhidze questioned the trajectory of Europe, pointing to processes such as democratic backsliding, economic stagnation, the migration crisis, the erosion of historical memory, the weakening of national and gender identities, and the breakdown of collective identity.

“As you may well be aware, Georgia is a country founded on European values - a country where human dignity, humanism, freedom and national identity are not merely declared principles, but deeply rooted values shaped over centuries and ingrained in the very fabric of the nation. Historically, culturally and in terms of values, Georgia is part of the European space, while at the same time being a candidate country for membership in the European Union, striving to become a fully-fledged member of the European family. Unfortunately, as a result of the decision taken by the European bureaucracy with regard to Georgia, political dialogue with our country was unilaterally - at your initiative - suspended after which the formats of discussion and cooperation proposed by us were repeatedly rejected. Given this situation, we are compelled to address you publicly through an open letter”, the PM said.

“We have repeatedly stated that Georgia’s aspiration to join the European Union is not driven by a desire for formal integration. For our people, Europe is first and foremost a space of values, a civilizational choice made by our ancestors, founded on Christian morality, freedom, equality, respect for human rights and democratic principles”, he continued.

Kobakhidze emphasized that for Georgia, the European Union was a common European civilizational space - a union that belonged not to any particular political figure, European leader or Euro-bureaucrat, but to the peoples of Europe, including the Georgian people.

He also responded to the violence that unfolded in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

“Against this backdrop, as a part of European civilization and a candidate country for membership in the European Union, we have questions regarding the troubling events that unfolded in the heart of Europe, in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark and which - we believe - have nothing in common with either Europe or European values. Dear Ursula, Antonio and Roberta, we address you, as representatives of the highest institutions of the European Union, with the following question - how do you assess the violence that unfolded in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, where participants of a peaceful demonstration were first beaten with batons and then attacked using police dogs?’, the PM said.

“The shocking footage, showing police brutally dispersing peaceful demonstrators, clearly revealed a disturbing reality to the international community - whereas for years Europe had been regarded as a benchmark for the protection of democracy, human rights, freedom of speech and expression, as well as other fundamental values, today an opposite trend is becoming increasingly evident. The current situation raises the risk that Europe may become a benchmark not for the protection of these values, but for their disregard and gross violation”, he continued.

The government head also added that for Georgia, as for any country committed to democratic values, both the violence witnessed in Copenhagen and the fact that the European Union no longer upheld the fundamental principles upon which it was founded were categorically unacceptable.

“In light of all this, questions naturally arise for you, including whether such violent actions are compatible with the standards of democracy and human rights to which the European Union constantly emphasizes its commitment and toward which countries around the world have long aspired”, he noted.

“As high-ranking officials of the European Union, where do you believe the processes associated with democratic backsliding, economic stagnation, migration crisis, erosion of historical memory, weakening of national and gender identities and the breakdown of public identity are leading Europe? How did Europe - once regarded by the entire world as a model of development, freedom and democracy - fall into such a deep crisis of values and more broadly, where is this path taking the European Union?” he asked.

Kobakhidze said that it was a regrettable and alarming fact that the European Union often disregarded the natural, cultural and historical foundations of society.

“There is a growing sense that the European space is gradually moving away from the principles that once made it a symbol of democracy and the protection of human rights throughout the world”, he added.

“Georgia - a European country and a candidate for accession to the European Union - expects a clear answer from you: what plan does the European Union have, in what direction are developments within the Union heading and what will be the ultimate outcome of these troubling processes - processes about which not only we speak, but which are also being publicly discussed by the populations and political leaders of other European countries?” he concluded.