**EU’s Double Standards: Georgian Parliament Chairman Speaks Out**
In a recent interview on Imedi TV, Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, expressed his strong disagreement with the European Union’s handling of visa liberalization for Georgian citizens. He accused the EU of violating international law and a 2010 agreement signed between them, which he deemed “shameful.”
Papuashvili pointed out that if a Georgian citizen like Maka Botchorishvili were to attend an opposition rally in Estonia, they would be criticized for not adhering to European values. However, when EU officials take part in radical opposition rallies, it’s seen as normal. This double standard has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy.
**The Rise of Soviet-Era Politics?**
Papuashvili also accused the current leadership in Brussels of having a “certain move towards the Soviet Union.” He claimed that some members of the EU’s leadership have ties to the former Soviet republic or socialist camp. This, he suggested, has led to direct interference in Georgian elections and an attempt to implement their own political agenda.
**Visa Liberalization: A Political Tool?**
The Chairman of the Parliament highlighted that the EU had introduced a visa requirement for diplomatic and service passports, which he believed was unrelated to general visa liberalization for all citizens. He accused the EU of violating international law and using visa liberalization as a tool to implement their own political agenda.
Papuashvili also pointed out that the EU had suspended the 2010 agreement after receiving no response from Georgia regarding general visa liberalization. However, he argued that this was not directly related to visa requirements for diplomatic passports. He added that Georgia has been working on technical issues such as migration, fighting organized crime, and corruption, which are part of the legislative policy and directly related to visa liberalization.
**A Common Excuse?**
Papuashvili questioned whether the EU’s concerns about Georgian laws, such as the repeal of the Law on Family Values and the Law on Transparency, were genuinely connected to visa liberalization. He suggested that these issues might be a common excuse to implement their own political agenda in Georgia.
**Conclusion**
The Chairman of the Parliament emphasized that the EU’s actions have raised questions about their commitment to European values and international law. As Papuashvili stated, “Robert Schuman is probably rolling over in his grave when he sees what is happening to the EU in the hands of the current political elite in Brussels.”
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