**Georgian Politician Criticizes Invitation to EU Summit**
Salome Samadashvili, a prominent Georgian politician, has expressed her skepticism about the invitation of Tamar Kobakhidze, the leader of the ruling party in Georgia, to the European Union summit. In an interview with Interpressnews, she stated that Kobakhidze’s participation does not mean that anyone has recognized the legitimacy of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government.
According to Samadashvili, Kobakhidze’s presence at the summit is likely to be formal and ceremonial, rather than substantive. She expects that the Georgian delegation will not have any serious meetings with EU officials and will instead participate in a tokenistic manner. This assessment suggests that the EU may view Ivanishvili’s government as illegitimate or unrepresentative of the Georgian people.
**The Politics Behind the Invitation**
It is worth noting that the invitation to Kobakhidze has been seen as a move by the European Union to engage with the ruling party in Georgia, rather than a recognition of their legitimacy. The EU has historically maintained a cautious approach towards the Ivanishvili government, which has been accused of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.
In this context, Samadashvili’s comments suggest that the Georgian opposition is not buying into the idea that the EU has recognized the legitimacy of the current government. Instead, they view it as an attempt to appease the ruling party and maintain a facade of normalcy in the country’s politics.
**What This Means for Georgia**
The implications of Kobakhidze’s participation at the EU summit are significant for Georgia. If Samadashvili’s assessment is correct, then the Georgian government will be unable to claim any significant achievements or concessions from the EU. On the other hand, if the ruling party can spin their participation as a major breakthrough, it could bolster their legitimacy and undermine the opposition.
In any case, it is clear that the Georgian people are watching closely how the country’s government performs at the EU summit. Any attempt to portray the event as a success will be met with skepticism by those who see it for what it is – a carefully managed PR exercise designed to maintain the ruling party’s grip on power.
Read More @ www.interpressnews.ge
