**Georgian Parliament Pushes Back Against US and NATO’s Cold Stance on Integration**
The Georgian Parliament has responded strongly to a statement from the new U.S. administration and NATO, which considers the integration of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO as unrealistic even in the medium term. The parliamentary statement comes after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “MEGOBARI Act”, which some have seen as an attempt to undermine Georgia’s efforts towards European integration.
**Georgian Government Not Blocking Integration Efforts**
The Georgian Parliament’s response emphasizes that the accusation against the Georgian government of blocking Euro-Atlantic integration is unfounded. Instead, the statement notes that Georgia has faced artificial barriers on its path to European integration. The government points out that it was actually the opposition parties who did not support a constitutional amendment in 2017, which defined integration into Euro-Atlantic structures as a national objective.
**Georgia’s Progress Towards Integration**
The statement highlights Georgia’s progress towards integration under the current government. In 2014, the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement were signed between Georgia and the European Union. Later, a visa-free regime for Georgian citizens was introduced. However, in June 2022, Georgia and its people were denied candidate status for EU membership, despite submitting an application just months prior.
**EU Bureaucracy’s Unfair Treatment**
The statement accuses the European bureaucracy of unfair treatment towards Georgia. Despite obtaining EU candidate status in December 2023, the country was refused accession negotiations with the EU in 2024. This, according to the Georgian government, is an artificial obstacle that remains on its path to European integration.
**Commentary and Analysis**
This response from the Georgian Parliament highlights the complexities of European integration for countries like Georgia. While the new U.S. administration and NATO may consider the integration of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO as unrealistic, it’s clear that Georgia has been working tirelessly towards this goal. The country’s progress towards integration is undeniable, with significant agreements signed with the EU and a visa-free regime for its citizens.
However, the Georgian government’s statement also underscores the challenges faced by countries seeking to integrate with Europe. Artificial barriers, such as those imposed by the European bureaucracy, can hinder progress and create frustration among would-be member states. In this context, Georgia’s pushback against the US and NATO’s stance on integration is a testament to its commitment to Euro-Atlantic values.
**What’s Next?**
The Georgian government’s statement serves as a call to action for the international community to reconsider their stance on Georgia’s integration efforts. Will the European Union and other partner countries respond to this call, or will they continue to impose artificial barriers on Georgia’s path to European integration? Only time will tell.
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