Kobakhidze Criticizes EU Bureaucracy, Reaffirms Membership Goal for 2030
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze expressed concern over current political trends within the European Union while reiterating Georgia's goal of being fully prepared for EU membership by 2030. Speaking to journalists in Bakhmaro, Kobakhidze emphasized that integration into the European Union remains Georgia's top foreign policy priority, but said changes are needed in Brussels.
"For us, it is important that the EU is associated with justice, objectivity, and truth. Unfortunately, today the situation is different due to the misguided actions of European bureaucracy. I have great hope that European bureaucracy will change its colors and act differently in the future," Kobakhidze said.
The PM added that Georgia has pledged to fulfill more than 90 percent of its obligations under the Association Agreement by 2028, positioning the country to meet full membership requirements by 2030. He argued, however, that the European Union itself must also correct course. "Today, the trends are concerning, with regressions in terms of human rights and democracy across the EU. We hope that by the time we are ready for EU membership in 2030, these trends in the EU will change," he noted.
Kobakhidze criticized what he described as the EU's association with "hatred" and alleged that European officials have attempted to influence Georgia's domestic politics. "They openly demanded the return of the 'National Movement' to power when they called on people to go to the polls and vote for the 'National Movement's' return. The EU should not be associated with such things in the perception of the Georgian people," he said.
He stressed that the Georgian Dream government remains open to dialogue with EU institutions but accused European officials of avoiding direct discussions. "We reaffirm to European bureaucracy our readiness to hold a healthy discussion on all issues. We do not close any topic, but we want a healthy discussion on all matters. You see that, to this day, European bureaucracy avoids such healthy discussions because the truth is not on their side. The truth is on our side, as we have adopted absolutely sound laws and taken absolutely sound steps," Kobakhidze said.
Kobakhidze further underscored that Georgia's leadership is committed to rule of law and democratic governance while rejecting what he described as external interference. "We firmly uphold the rule of law and democracy in our country. Among other things, we do not allow anyone to change the government from the outside, organize revolutions, or interfere in our elections. This is how events will continue to unfold, of course. We are open to any healthy discussion, but it must be open, transparent, and public," he said.
