Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze says Georgia is ready to start relations with the European Union “from a new page,” but insists that cooperation must be based on mutual respect and must not serve the interests of powerful countries. He made the remarks in response to a question about Georgia not being invited to the upcoming EU Enlargement Forum.
Kaladze said the Georgian government had repeatedly expressed its willingness to deepen cooperation with the EU, but stressed that partnership should not involve pressure, threats or orders from Brussels. He also accused Western partners of applying double standards, saying they criticise Georgia for decisions they make themselves.
On November 9, European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier confirmed that Georgia had not been invited to next week's Enlargement Forum. He said EU relations with Georgia would remain limited until the government demonstrates a firm willingness to change its current political course, as outlined in the European Commission's latest enlargement report.
Published on November 4, the report stated that Georgia's EU accession process remains de facto halted and that the country is a candidate only in name. The Commission said Georgia had failed to meet nine recommendations linked to its candidate status, citing concerns over democratic principles, the rule of law, fundamental rights and civil society. However, the EU reaffirmed its support for Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the European aspirations of the Georgian people.
