Kaladze Accuses EU of 'Double Standards' Over Georgia's Reform Progress
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said Georgia has made "concrete steps" toward European integration but is facing unfair evaluations from some representatives of the European Union. He made the comments in response to an index published by the European Commission.
"When there is a fair attitude and assessment, everything is clear - Georgia is ahead, taking concrete steps, implementing reforms, and we have seen the results. We are ahead of many EU member states, not to mention candidate countries," Kaladze said. He argued that negative assessments were driven by politics and based on "lies, slander, and the dissemination of incorrect information."
Kaladze claimed the EU's position stems from two issues: Georgia's refusal to join the war in Ukraine by "opening a second front" and its decision not to adopt financial sanctions against Russia, which he said would have been "disastrous" for the Georgian economy.
He stressed that "peace has no alternative" and said Georgia's government is pursuing pragmatic policies to avoid being drawn into conflict. "Ukraine is a 'good' example of what war brings to a country," Kaladze said, citing destroyed infrastructure, displaced populations, and loss of life. He wished peace to Ukraine but insisted Georgia would maintain stability through its current course.
Asked about the possible suspension of Georgia's visa-free regime with the EU, Kaladze said the country's interest in visa liberalization "has not and cannot change." He accused "European bureaucrats" of trying to punish Georgia with "slanderous statements" and repeated his view that outside actors are attempting to force Georgia into destructive policies.
"Neither the American, nor the European, nor the Russian can and will do what we need to do. They have an interest in Georgia, but they have their own interest. Accordingly, we must look after our country, we must do what we need to do, because Georgia is our homeland," Kaladze said.
He also criticized EU demands related to political prisoners, calling them "unjust" and pointing to violent acts committed during protests. "Do the demands have substance? These demands are based on lies, injustice. Which political prisoners are we talking about, who threw Molotov cocktails at the police? Who were burning police officers alive, throwing stones?! The perpetrator has no age," he said.
