The final goal of this regime is to declare Georgia’s neutrality and to recognize these territories — said one of the leaders of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” Grigol Gegelia, responding to the initiative of the “Georgian Dream” regarding the abolition of the administrative-territorial unit administration created on the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous District.

According to Gegelia, this represents the implementation of Russia’s systematic demand by the “Georgian Dream” regime.

“For years, ‘Georgian Dream’ has not taken a single step toward strengthening or achieving peaceful de-occupation. In reality, we see that this is a pro-Russian regime, which does everything not to mention the occupier, not to anger the occupier, not to protect Georgia’s sovereign voice, not to protect the national interests of the Georgian people, and not to take any effective step toward the peaceful restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity. I do not see this as an example of strengthening any particular policy. On the contrary, I am reminded that Russia has systematically demanded for years that Georgia take this step. This is the implementation of Russia’s systematic demand by the ‘Georgian Dream’ regime, which would not surprise me if very soon it begins talking about neutrality and the recognition of these territories. Ultimately, the ‘Georgian Dream’ regime will do exactly that. The final goal of this regime is to declare Georgia’s neutrality and to recognize these territories,” said Grigol Gegelia.

Regarding other issues, Gegelia also commented on Georgia not being invited to the EU Enlargement Forum and stated that under the rule of “Georgian Dream,” Georgia’s European integration has come to an end.

“When a format is called an ‘enlargement format’ and you are not invited to it, it means you are not part of the enlargement agenda. This very simply means that Georgia’s European integration is over. It is no longer good, no longer average, no longer bad — it simply does not exist at all. Everyone must clearly understand that as long as the ‘Georgian Dream’ regime continues to govern this country in a de facto regime, no European integration will ever happen. And proof of this is, unfortunately, that we have been removed from the enlargement agenda of the European Union,” said Grigol Gegelia.

For reference, a meeting of EU General Affairs Ministers is being held in Brussels, where they are discussing the simplification of the procedure for suspending visa-free travel with the European Union.