**Georgia’s Speaker of Parliament Speaks Out Against EU’s Double Standard**
In a strongly worded statement, Georgia’s Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili has criticized the European Union for what he sees as a double standard in its treatment of his country. The criticism comes after 17 European countries and the EU’s High Representative made a statement that Papuashvili feels was aggressive and threatening towards Georgia.
According to Papuashvili, the EU’s rhetoric is hypocritical and ignores the rule of law and human rights. He pointed out that if someone were to attack police officers or burn down a parliament in any other country, there would be severe consequences. “If kicking a police officer is considered peaceful behavior, if throwing explosive fireworks at police is peaceful, then I have one thing to say to these 17 countries: look at your own countries,” he said.
**EU’s Funding of NGOs Under Fire**
Papuashvili also criticized the EU for its funding of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia. He claimed that many of these organizations are radical and political, and have been involved in attacks on the state, hate speech, and disinformation. “We now have preliminary data showing which organizations are receiving funds, and ultimately, they were forced to reveal how the funds were distributed—and what we found out is even worse,” he said.
The Speaker of Parliament accused the EU of financing extremism in Georgia, using money allocated for NGOs to fund radical groups that attack the state and disregard democratic institutions. He also pointed out that some of these organizations have demanded the overthrow of the government, and that the EU has unfairly denied Georgia candidate status while supporting its own funded NGOs.
**A Call for Change**
Papuashvili’s statement is a clear call to action for the European Union to change its approach towards Georgia. He urged the EU to return to its core values of respect for human rights and the rule of law, rather than following a path that he believes leads towards the Soviet Union.
As Papuashvili noted, “it is crucial that these countries stop their unfair attacks on Georgia and cease their aggressive rhetoric against us.” The ball, he said, is now in the EU’s court to explain why it funded organizations involved in extremism and to justify its actions towards Georgia.
**What Does This Mean for Georgia-EU Relations?**
The statement by Shalva Papuashvili has significant implications for the relationship between Georgia and the European Union. If the EU fails to address these concerns, it could lead to further erosion of trust between the two sides. For Georgia, this means a continued sense of being looked down upon and treated unfairly.
As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the EU responds to Papuashvili’s criticisms. Will they take steps to address the issues he raised, or will they continue on their current path? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Georgia will not go quietly into the night.
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