Georgia's new president says EU membership must preserve national values

TBILISI, Georgia

Georgia's newly elected president expressed his country’s desire to join the European Union but stressed that this must be achieved while preserving national values.

In an interview Sunday with Imedi TV, Mikheil Kavelashvili discussed Georgia-EU relations.

Kavelashvili also addressed the ongoing protests in response to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision last month to suspend Georgia's EU accession talks for four years.

Defending Kobakhidze’s decision, he said Tbilisi has not paused Georgia’s EU integration process but is merely demanding mutual respect from the bloc.

Kavelashvili accused the EU of adopting certain decisions against Tbilisi and applying double standards.

He called for an approach based on mutual respect and transparency.

"We have outlined a clear, long-term plan regarding the European Union. We consistently uphold this plan and keep the public informed," he said.

"Of course, we declare our ambition to become an EU member."

"This is the state's declared will, and we all agree on this."

"However, we also have national interests, which do not harm the EU. This is our natural stance, and we will not abandon it," he added.

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli in Istanbul