“There are groups that argue that European integration carries risks. We are ready to discuss this topic with any group - it is important that our country is not harmed during the integration process. We do not want EU membership simply to label Georgia as a member while leaving the country in ruins,” Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili told journalists, responding to the statement by Neutral Georgia, which called on two TV channels - "Rustavi 2" and "Imedi" - to organize debates on Georgia’s EU integration as soon as possible.

According to Papuashvili, the issue is not with the EU or European integration itself, even if some see risks; the problem lies in Brussels, which today is completely detached from the values of the European Union.

“Regarding debates and discussions, the main idea is that when we said we are ready to engage in debates with any political group, it comes with one condition: they must recognize Georgia as a state and its constitutional order. At the same time, we said we are ready to talk and debate on any topic. For example, there are groups that believe higher education does not need reform - we are ready to discuss with them. There are groups that argue European integration carries risks - we are ready to discuss with any of them. In other words, we are ready for debates and discussions on any issue.

As for European integration, we have repeatedly emphasized that it is always important that the integration process does not damage our country. We do not want EU membership simply to have Georgia marked as a member while the country is destroyed. We see what is happening in Ukraine and Moldova - the destruction of institutions, and I won’t even speak about the destruction of the country itself. The President of Moldova even talks about abolishing the country altogether. This is certainly not our path to European integration. The Ukrainian and Moldovan path is not our path. We are taking a different route - through statehood, independence, and respect for our national interests. That is why it is important not to confuse European integration with subordination or joining a union, as we were under the Soviet Union when Moscow was the center, and now Brussels should not become the union center.

We are taking our own path, and in this regard, there are challenges in the EU. Today’s Brussels is completely detached from the values on which Georgia stands. The policies currently pursued by Brussels contradict Georgian values, so it is important that changes occur in Brussels to restore true European values that correspond to Georgian values.

European integration is our constitutional goal, enshrined in Article 78 of the Constitution, which follows Article 77, concerning independence and the independence of our institutions. We will not give Brussels the opportunity to interfere in our constitutional bodies, to appoint judges and prosecutors from Brussels - we will not allow that. We are aware of the difficulties of this path, and it is important that we proceed correctly. If anyone sees risks and threats, we are ready to explain that risks exist and that strong sovereign responses are required.

When European integration is understood by some as subjugation of the country - as some Baltic politicians claim, attempting to impose their will on us - this is unacceptable. They could not impose their will on us in the Soviet Union, and now they seek to do so under the EU’s aegis. Of course, this will not succeed. This is not what the European Union is. We must demonstrate this, especially to those who have questions and see risks. We must show that what we see today is not the true face of the EU. Brussels is heading in the wrong direction. Its main strategic partner, the United States, repeats this every day: stop! You are going the wrong way! Wake up! Return to European values! We say this too.

Therefore, the problem is not with the EU or European integration if someone sees risks; the problem is Brussels, which today is completely detached from EU values,” Papuashvili said.

Background: United Neutral Georgia issued a statement urging two TV channels to organize debates on Georgia’s European integration.

They argued that the illusion of EU integration has become a threat to Georgia:

“Currently, there is no more important issue in the country, and until we free ourselves from the illusion of European integration, which has become a threat to Georgia, the country will have no peace. We are ready to engage in direct debates with the authorities and demonstrate the extreme harmfulness of today’s foreign policy toward our country,” the statement read.