Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has stated that EU candidate countries should be viewed as full participants in the enlargement process, rather than its objects.
Speaking at the first conference of parliament speakers from EU candidate countries, currently taking place in Serbia, the head of parliament noted that the current geopolitical situation requires the European Union to rethink its approach to enlargement.
Papuashvili explained that the EU can no longer view itself as an “exclusive club” that decides at its own discretion whether to admit new countries or not.
“It takes two to tango,” he pointed out, noting that the EU accession process requires mutual efforts from both the candidates and the European Union itself.
The speaker of parliament emphasized that the parliaments of candidate countries must be more actively involved in coordinating the European integration process. Papuashvili noted that the format of cooperation between them should not turn into a platform for competition, the ranking of states, or the discussion of bilateral disputes, but should instead foster joint work, the development of common initiatives, and a unified position on EU enlargement.
According to Papuashvili, the enlargement of the European Union should be seen not as a burden or an act of charity, but as a historic opportunity to strengthen the EU itself, with the Balkans and the Black Sea region holding particular significance in this process.
“The joint declaration we intend to adopt today clearly states that we have gathered here for unity, not division. The Parliament of Georgia fully shares this message.
Finally, the best way to strengthen the European Union’s currently weakened geopolitical and economic positions is enlargement in strategically vital regions—the Balkans and the Black Sea region. This is why the EU must view enlargement as a historic opportunity for renewal and reclaiming global leadership, rather than as a burden or an act of charity, as some attempt to portray it.
As Georgia’s national motto goes, ‘Strength is in unity.’ Therefore, let us use this meeting to shape our European future together,” Papuashvili stated.
