The candidate for Prime Minister of Georgia said the “European Union had to prove that they respect the country’s dignity and protect our national interests, our traditional values”.

Addressing the Parliament ahead of his Government’s confidence vote, Irakli Kobakhidze noted the Government’s goal was to “maintain peace”.

“The EU also has to prove that they respect our dignity. The EU must prove to us that our peaceful progress towards the EU is also of fundamental importance to them. When it comes to progressing towards the EU with dignity, it is important for the EU to protect our national interests, our traditional values.

Our goal is to defend the interests of our country with dignity, including gaining membership in the EU with dignity. Our goal is to improve the prosperity of our country. Dignity is the 1st and main guarantee that we will defend our national interests, and our task is, as it is stated in our election slogan and Government programme, to move towards the EU with dignity.

The path would be difficult - the Government’s stated goal is to join the EU by 2030. The EU has its conditions and we must take this into account. Naturally, we are ready to take into account all conditions that do not contradict the national interests of our country.

Of course, we also have to prove to the EU that we are acting honestly, and similarly, the EU has to prove to us that it properly respects peace, dignity and prosperity for our country”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.