The Chairman of the Georgian Parliament David Usupashvili said there is not a single more or less influential political party in Georgia, which opposes the European orientation. In this respect, there is a political consensus in Georgia. However, in an interview for IPN, the official said that a lot of work is to be done to better inform the population.
“After Georgia gained independence, there have been several changes in power, but no authority has ever questioned the pro-European orientation of the country as its strategic choice. This is one of the continuous inheritances of Georgian statehood; all sorts of public opinion polls confirm this. No alternative to European integration in Georgian reality exists,” said the head of the Georgian legislature.
He admitted that a lot of work is to be done in the area of public awareness, both in Georgia and in Moldova. “Typically, the opponents of pro-European orientation in all countries are armed with the same “arguments” - as if getting closer to Europe brings corruption, loss of traditional morality and national identity. All this, of course, has nothing to do with reality,” stated the official.
Both experts and politicians in Moldova have voiced concerns about potential provocations from outside that could thwart the signing and ratification of the Association Agreement. Asked if the Georgian authorities expect any such provocations, David Usupashvili noted that such provocations cannot be excluded.
“To counter these actions we need, consolidation of the political forces and the public around our strategic choice on one hand, and maximum activity in the international arena, as well as more vigorous involvement of Western countries and international organizations in the preparatory process for the signing of the Association Agreement on the other. This is most likely the best way to avoid outside interference,” he said.
David Usupashvili is making a visit to Moldova within which he will have meetings with Moldovan leaders. Georgia and Moldova initialed Association Agreements with the EU the same day. They both expect to sign and ratify them this year.
