FM Botchorishvili: Georgia’s EU integration not suspended by Georgian Dream

Maka Botchorishvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, on Wednesday said the claims that the country’s European integration process has been halted by the ruling Georgian Dream party were “false,” arguing that the suspension of political dialogue was decided by Brussels.

Speaking in parliament, Botchorishvili said that Georgia’s EU integration process had not been stopped by the government and insisted that responsibility for any slowdown lay with the European Union’s institutions.

“The Georgian Dream has not suspended the EU integration process. This is a lie,” she said, adding that political dialogue with Georgia was suspended in 2024 by a decision taken in Brussels.

She said Georgia has made significant progress on its European integration path since 2014, describing it as the result of efforts by the Georgian Dream government.

Botchorishvili added that the European Commission itself had been forced to acknowledge Georgia’s progress, including when the country was granted EU candidate status in 2023.

She said accusations of democratic backsliding were “ridiculous,” and questioned critics’ understanding of democracy.

“The Georgian Dream has not stopped the EU integration process. This is misinformation and a lie,” she reiterated.

The Foreign Minister said Georgia’s European path continued, but argued that external political decisions have affected the pace of dialogue with Brussels.