In accordance with Article 49 of the EU Treaty, the political group leaders of the European Parliament have encouraged the heads of state and government of the member states to make a decision on the applications of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine at their June 23 and 24 meeting. The statement highlighted the Ukrainians' desire to live in a prosperous, democratic, and free country that is a proud and loyal member of the European family.
The declaration adds, "We acknowledge that the people of Georgia and Moldova, as well as the nations of the Western Balkans, share the same goals." Moreover, the statement was made in light of the European Parliament's passage of a resolution on the violation of press freedom in Georgia. During the discussion of the resolution in Strasbourg, the MEPs accused the ruling party of contributing to the country's "democratic backwardness" in strong terms.
The political opposition in Georgia has also responded to a European Parliament resolution about the infringement of media freedom in Georgia, which includes calls for sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream.
Nikanor Melia, the leader of the United National Movement (UNM), stated that all political factions in the European Parliament, including the faction of which the Georgian Dream faction is a member, have stated unanimously that people in Georgia are persecuted on political grounds and that freedom of speech and expression are not protected in Georgia. He added that there are political prisoners in Georgia, such as Mikheil Saakashvili, Nika Gvaramia, and others who, under the supervision and coordination of the government, pursue journalists and unpopular people. He stated that what is occurring in Georgia is contrary to European principles and that the Georgian government does not reflect the people's desire, interests, or ambitions to join the European Union.
"The government has no allies in Europe," said Mamuka Khazaradze, head of “Lelo for Georgia.” The chairman of “Lelo for Georgia” stated that the European Union does not believe in the current government but supports the Georgian people. "We must use these two weeks to restore the April 19 accord reached by the Georgian Dream, delay measures that contradict EU directives, and have the president pardon Nika Gvaramia," he continued.
"On this path, the road to the European Union and the road to entering the civilized world in general, our current administration and the moves it has taken pose the greatest hurdle for Georgia," said Giorgi Kandelaki, one of the leaders of the European Georgia party.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, former Georgian prime minister and founder of the party "For Georgia", the greatest threat to Georgia right now is its separation from Ukraine and Moldova, with whom the EU enlargement question has been debated for years and in which Georgia was the undisputed leader. "There is a grave danger that the European perspective for which our ancestors fought and for which our children desire may be lost," he said. The former prime minister declared that Georgians must unite to rescue the nation while maintaining children's freedom and the promise of a European future.
