Kakha Kaladze: The government has repeatedly expressed its readiness to start a new chapter in relations - but not at the expense of our own interests. Friendship must be a two-way street; it cannot involve one side looking down on the other and issuing orders

The Georgian government has repeatedly signaled its readiness to turn a new page in its relations—but not in a way that compromises our interests or allows major powers to use us to advance their own agendas. That simply won’t work. This statement was made by Tbilisi Mayor and General Secretary of Georgian Dream, Kakha Kaladze, while speaking to journalists in response to a question regarding the country not being invited to the EU enlargement summit.

He further emphasized that partnership and friendship must be reciprocal, rather than a dynamic defined by "looking down on someone, issuing orders, and expecting them to be carried out."

"Why do we want Europe?! Our primary goal was freedom. If they continue to issue directives using the same methods—directives that are known from the outset to be harmful and problematic for one’s country—then a sensible leader, one who defends their nation’s interests and cares for their people, certainly should not take such a step. I am referring, for instance, to joining sanctions. We know full well that this would be damaging to the economy and to ordinary citizens, don't we? There are many such issues, including those concerning legislation. Regarding 'transparency,' they forbid us, threaten us, and blackmail us—demanding that we not take certain actions or asking why we adopted a particular law—yet they end up doing the very same thing themselves. The public can very easily form its own assessment of these matters—especially regarding the decisions coming from high-ranking European officials," stated Kaladze.