Georgia Wants to Join EU While Preserving National Values, New President Says

The newly elected president of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, said that his country wants to join the European Union. However, such a goal must be achieved while preserving national values.

The former professional soccer player discussed the Georgia-EU relations in an interview with Imedi TV. Kavelashvili urged for an approach based on mutual respect and transparency between his country and the EU, Schengen.News reports.

Suspension of EU Accession Talks Until 2028 
Georgia marks its 18th day of mass pro-EU protests following the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, announcement to suspend membership talks between the European Union and Georgia until the end of 2028. 

Announcing the decision, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, said that Georgia is a proud and self-respecting nation with a long history, therefore, the country considers it unacceptable to consider EU integration as a favour that the bloc should grant to Georgia. 

The newly elected president of Georgia supported PM Kobakhidze, saying that Georgia is simply demanding mutual respect from the EU. 

Risk of Visa-Free Agreement Suspension Between Georgia & EU 
The European Union Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, earlier this month said that the EU plans to respond to events in Georgia, referring to the ongoing protests, emphasising that the EU is considering all options, including visa-free agreement suspension with the EU. 

Last month, Herczyński said that the issue would be discussed at the next meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs scheduled for today, December 16. 

Ahead of today’s meeting, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said that things are not going in the right direction in Georgia amid the ongoing protests in Georgia following the PM’s announcement to halt the EU accession talks until 2028.

Ahead of the meeting, Kallas said that the bloc is also discussing how to limit visa-free travel, stressing that there are EU member states that want to task the Commission with developing this proposal.

Source: https://schengen.news/georgia-wants-to-join-eu-while-preserving-national-values-new-president-says/