\We cannot allow some forces to use the issue of European integration as a tool of blackmail against the Georgian people, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told CCTV in the Leaders Talk program.

According to Kobakhidze, Georgia applied for candidate status in the EU in 2022, which was rejected.

“It took a year and a half to finally receive candidate status. We had to fight for it. Also, this candidate status was used for blackmail. Later, they started blackmailing us with the issue of opening accession negotiations with the EU, which is not good, because in the end this created unrest in Georgia as well. Of course, we still have the goal of becoming a full member of the EU, but we want to continue this path only in accordance with the rules and the principle of fairness. This is our general approach,” the Prime Minister said.