PM Kobakhidze says double standards pervade EU policy

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the European Union of applying double standards in its policies, calling the approach “deeply regrettable”, while commenting on reports that the EU plans to appoint a special representative for negotiations with Russia.

Speaking to journalists in Abu Dhabi, Kobakhidze said that despite Georgia not even having diplomatic relations with Russia, European bureaucrats had previously portrayed the Georgian Government as “pro-Russian”, which he described as a clear example of double standards.

“Now they themselves see that they need to establish communication with the Russian authorities,” Kobakhidze said, adding that recent political developments in the United States have also influenced this shift in approach.

The Prime Minister said such inconsistencies are evident across the EU’s policies.

“In general, we see double standards everywhere in EU policy, which is very unfortunate,” he noted, stressing that the contrast between past criticism of Georgia and current EU engagement with Russia highlights what he described as contradictory behaviour by European bureaucracy.

Kobakhidze said developments should be closely monitored but reiterated that double standards remain a defining feature of the EU’s approach in this context.