Georgia’s Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili delivered two sharply contrasting messages to Europe on the same day — accusing the European Union of interfering in domestic politics, while voicing optimism about resetting relations with France.
Speaking to journalists, Papuashvili said Georgia’s sovereignty was being undermined by foreign interference. He pointed to comments made by the EU ambassador during the 2024 election campaign, when the diplomat described one party’s banner as “disgusting.”
According to the Speaker, such remarks amount to taking sides in Georgia’s political contest.
“When [the ambassador] talks about the banner of one party and the election strategy or tactics of one party, it means that he is engaged in a campaign against this one party,” Papuashvili said.
His words reflect an increasingly uneasy dynamic between Tbilisi and Brussels. While EU officials insist their statements are meant to support democratic standards, Georgia’s ruling party often frames them as interference.
The tension comes at a sensitive time, as Georgia continues to seek progress on its EU membership bid.
Hours later, Papuashvili’s tone shifted during his first meeting with France’s new ambassador to Georgia. He described the talks as “very productive” and expressed confidence that bilateral relations could return “to the point we want them to be.”
The Speaker emphasized Georgia’s interest in keeping relations constructive.
“We, a country of 3.8 million people, cannot spoil anything in such relations,” he said, adding that mutual respect and respect for sovereignty should be the basis of cooperation.
France is a key voice in EU foreign policy, and a reset in ties could help Georgia maintain momentum in its European path despite frictions elsewhere.
A balancing act
The two statements: criticism of Brussels and optimism toward Paris spotlight Georgia’s balancing act in foreign policy. The government is keen to assert independence in the face of what it views as political pressure, but also recognises the importance of maintaining constructive dialogue with European partners.
The challenge for Georgia is to defend its sovereignty at home while keeping the European future open abroad.
Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Riyadh region, according to the Saudi-led coalition fight...
Police were deployed across Paris on Saturday, as a curfew was set to take effect in the Republique and Chât...
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said....
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education and living costs. Violence erupted in Frankfurt, where shops were looted and police reported Molotov cocktail attacks.
A tenth-grade student was critically injured after a man attacked her with a chainsaw inside a classroom in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district. The girl suffered severe injuries to her head, neck and back, while a classmate who tried to protect her was also hurt.
Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Riyadh region, according to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. No casualties were reported.
Since 2021, only 9 per cent of $8 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan can be traced beyond initial recipients in public records, a Kabul Institute report released on 22 October said. The United Nations says its oversight systems ensure accountability.
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan surged by 330 per cent in 2026 despite a four-year ban, the United Nations said on Thursday. Afghan authorities disputed the findings, while Japan urged continued support for farmers seeking alternative livelihoods.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, with Kazakhstan particularly exposed to regional power shortages and growing pressure on its network.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment