On behalf of the 140 members of the European Forum of Georgia, we would like to address the situation which has unfolded over the recent days, in regard to Georgian-European relations:

• The organized propaganda surrounding the European Union and its representatives is designed to depict it as a Union colored by biased and false information, which aims to harm Georgia.
• The true cause of this irresponsible campaign is to divert attention from important issues with the use of pseudo-patriotic sentiment. In actuality, the most menacing threats to our safety and wellbeing are the following: selective justice, which involves its subjugation in service of narrow, partisan interests; persecuting those with differing opinions; discrimination and acts of violence against individuals, perpetretad with impunity; constant blackmailing and surveillance of opponents; prosecution of individuals based on their estimation in the eyes of the ruling party; proclaiming critical thinking as treachery and opponents as traitors; meeting enemies with silence, while mocking and turning backs on friends. These are the real challenges we need to overcome and what the true supporters of our country are drawing our attention to, just as they have done so in the past.
• It is indeed these issues that are at the cause of our country’s political and therefore, economic, and social crises, as well as chronic poverty. It must be understood that poverty and hardship stem from ineffective and unjust governance, not from criticism. These are the challenges the European Union urges us to overcome, and they will not disappear regardless of what final decision the EU may arrive at in regard to Georgia’s candidate status. Furthermore, without EU integration or collaboration, matters will only worsen and grow harder to overcome if we are left to our own devices.
• The true aim of the unsubstantiated claims being directed at the EU is to conserve power within the grasp of a handful of individuals so that they maintain and expand their wealth and power. Power, which should by right belong to and serve the people with the means of a balanced governance, just elections and an impartial court
• The core value of the architects of this policy is not, in fact, the preservation of Georgia’s traditions, the integrity of the family unit or concern for the country’s future. Rather, ensuring individual wellbeing and usurping power with the means of unconditional obedience of the leader. Unfortunately, for many such individuals, this is the primary principle of governance, and many are prepared to sacrifice Georgia’s historic and constitutional choice for the sake of preserving power.
• Georgia does not belong to any government, party, or leader. Georgia is a free, democratic union of citizens, who consolidated their European choice with the appropriate referendum and constitutional record. This was done because dignity, freedom and independence are important to us, and they can only be realized under a union predicated on such principles.
• The European Forum of Georgia, is an open union designed to defend freedom and democracy, and will continue to work on ensuring the realization of this historic decision.

The European Forum of Georgia is a platform for the coordination and collaboration of organizations and citizens, which aims to defend democratic values and the Euro-Atlantic course within the country. Presently, there are 180 members within the union.

For further information visit: https://eecmd.org/ka/european-forum-of-georgia/