The Ambassador of Germany to Georgia, Peter Fischer, discussed Georgia's European path and how the Georgian government's foreign policy has affected the accession process. Fischer claims the country won't be able to join the EU unless the policy is changed.
Fischer also discussed the importance of the upcoming parliamentary elections and said the Georgian people should decide the country's path. The Ambassador also discussed geo-German relationships at an event dedicated to The Day of German Unity, held in Tbilisi.
"Last year, I stood here with the Prime Minister of Georgia. He praised the value and quality of our partnership - with Germany and the EU. I agreed, but I also warned about the risk of Georgia missing her historical „rendez-vouz“ with Europe.
A few weeks later Georgia was awarded candidate status for the European Union and on 14 December 2023 I stood with all my EU ambassador colleagues and the whole Georgian government on stage in front of a huge crowd on Freedom Square - and we were all very happy. Oh, how times have changed.
Georgia’s EU accession process has come to a standstill, because of the course of the Georgian government. With this course Georgia will not be able to join the EU. This year, you'll notice: We have not invited any members of the Georgian government, no Members of the Georgian Parliament and no leaders of Georgian political parties. Why? Because we want to make clear that the election on 26 October is the election of and for the Georgians. We don't have any part in it.
Speaking to the Georgians: You have to make up your minds what you want. How you want to be governed and which group of countries you want to belong to. It's all on you. Not on us. The door to the EU is open.
And please believe me: It is us, the EU member states, that decide who joins and when. The candidates don’t make this decision.
As a friend, and I believe there are many in this hall who can testify that I have always acted as a friend, I have to tell you: You are at risk of throwing away the opportunity to join the EU and the privileged partnership of the last 30 years. You decide.
Let me add a personal view: Don't imagine, that if you turn away from us, we will come running after you, begging you to come back", - said Fischer.
