Marta Kos’s statement once again demonstrates that Georgia continues to have all the opportunities to move toward the European family at a rapid pace if it fulfills its undertaken obligations. The European Union is ready to discuss real integration if reciprocal steps are taken by the “Georgian Dream” regime, Grigol Gegelia, Secretary General of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” said while assessing the statement of EU Commissioner Marta Kos.

As Gegelia notes, claims that Georgia’s European integration has been “suspended by the European Union” are “nonsense.”

“The statement by EU Commissioner Marta Kos once again makes it clear that Georgia had, and still has, every chance and opportunity to move toward the European family at a rapid pace, provided that the country fulfills all its obligations and carries out all the reforms that have been discussed in recent years—provided that all political prisoners are released and new, free parliamentary elections are scheduled and held. Accordingly, any propagandistic myth claiming that European integration has been suspended by the European Union is complete nonsense and nothing more.

Once again, we see and hear that the European Union is ready to discuss real integration and further steps if reciprocal actions are taken by the ‘Georgian Dream’ regime and the Georgian state.

Therefore, the door has been slammed shut by Kobakhidze. The Russian regime has done everything to halt Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path. As a result, we see that today Georgia’s European integration process has come to an end, while Armenia is reaching unprecedented heights on the international stage. We see that Georgia’s issue is not even included on the agenda today, while Armenia is present with a delegation to lobby its national interests,” Grigol Gegelia stated.

For reference, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that she hopes the Georgian authorities—the government—with the support of the people, will return to the European path, “but, of course, this is in their hands.”

“The European Commission’s enlargement report contains recommendations and conclusions regarding Georgia. In this report, we say that Georgia is experiencing a level of democratic backsliding unlike that of any other country. We expect that if the country wants to move forward on the European path, it must act differently. This applies to the government. We will, of course, continue to support civil society and independent media, because this is very important not only to give people hope, but also to tell the government that it is wrong if it does not take into account the will of the people,” Marta Kos said.

She added that she hopes Georgia will return to the European path.

“I truly, truly hope that the Georgian authorities—the government—with the support of your people, will return to the European path, but, of course, this is in their hands,” the EU Commissioner noted.