“In 2022, the Georgian people were unjustly denied candidate status and the opening of negotiations—an injustice orchestrated by the so-called ‘Deep State’ through European officials that continues to this day,” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists, emphasising the ongoing nature of this unfair treatment.
He stated that the Georgian government did everything within its power to secure EU candidate status, yet there remains no explanation why Georgia was denied this opportunity in 2022.
“You are aware of the broader picture since 2022, when we refused to open a second front. First, we were completely unjustly and without any valid reason denied candidate status—the Georgian people were deprived of this. For a year and a half, we were kept from receiving status, then negotiations were also refused. This injustice, implemented by European officials, continues, which is very regrettable. We did everything necessary to attain candidate status. Since 2022, we have fulfilled all our obligations. If European officials received different instructions, the situation could change, but it appears they have been instructed by the ‘Deep State’ to oppose our country’s national interests—an extremely unfortunate reality. This is outright, systemic injustice. How can we be held responsible for this?” Kobakhidze remarked.
He further revealed that behind closed doors, a representative of the ‘Deep State’ had demanded that Georgia join sanctions.
“Do you have an explanation for why we were not granted candidate status in June 2022? There is no clear answer. Was it unacceptable that we refused to impose sanctions or send volunteer fighters? Zelensky later recalled his ambassador from Georgia. Did anyone in Europe criticise this decision? No, because it was coordinated. Behind closed doors, a ‘Deep State’ representative openly demanded that we impose sanctions. We refused, and subsequently, the ambassador was recalled through Zelensky. Both reasons—non-imposition of sanctions and refusal to send volunteers—were politically coordinated, which explains the lack of criticism,” Kobakhidze explained.
“The ‘Deep State’ bears responsibility for the injustice inflicted upon our country and the Georgian people,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
He reiterated that Georgia did not impose sanctions nor send volunteers to Ukraine, and these actions, or lack thereof, were exploited to justify ongoing injustice.
“Since 2022, our government has taken concrete steps: we applied for EU candidate status, supported by a comprehensive 5,000-page document prepared by our civil servants. Yet, without any valid justification, we were denied this status, and this injustice has persisted for over a year and a half. We refrained from imposing sanctions and from sending volunteer fighters, yet this was used against us. Some may see this as a coincidence, but it is certainly not. The injustice began then, and unfortunately, it continues today,” Kobakhidze concluded.
