“It is concerning that the Swedish Prime Minister has named the legalization of same-sex marriage as a prerequisite for EU membership, which contradicts the formal requirements for accession,” stated Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, responding to a post by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on social media. According to Kristersson’s post, within the framework of European integration, Ukraine must regulate same-sex partnerships and ensure full legal protection for the LGBT community.

According to Papuashvili, it is important to clarify whether the requirement for legalizing same-sex marriage, as stated by the Swedish Prime Minister, is part of Sweden’s official position regarding decision-making on candidate countries.

“It is concerning that the Swedish Prime Minister has named the legalization of same-sex marriage as a prerequisite for EU membership, which contradicts the formal requirements for accession.

Given that a single EU member state can block a candidate country’s EU integration process, it is important for the Swedish Embassy to clarify whether the requirement for legalizing same-sex marriage, as stated by the Swedish Prime Minister, is part of Sweden’s official position when making decisions regarding candidate countries,” stated Shalva Papuashvili.

For reference, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson published the following post on social media yesterday:

“Today in Sagerska, I received Ukrainian LGBTQI veterans. As they risk their lives on the front lines and participate in the resistance in other ways, they are helping to defend Ukraine. However, they are also a living expression of the liberal values for which Ukraine is fighting.

Today, same-sex couples in Ukraine cannot marry or enter registered partnerships. Full legal protection of the rights of all minorities, including the LGBTQI community, is an important part of Ukraine’s EU accession process for us, and we support it. As a strong supporter of Ukraine, Sweden will closely monitor the implementation of all this.”