On 31 May, the President of Georgia addressed the European Parliament for the first time in 13 years, during which Salome Zourabichvili pleaded for Georgia's EU candidate status and declared solidarity with Ukraine, putting herself in contrast with the Georgian Government.
Nevertheless, Zourabichvili did not mention Bidzina Ivanishvili or indeed the political prisoners whom many MEPs are hoping she would pardon.
She also issued a plea to grant Georgia the EU’s candidate status while avoiding to assess how Georgia is implementing the 12 conditions set by the European Commission as pre-condition for it to be granted.
Rather, Zourabichvili stressed, the status would mean “recognition of the relentless fight of the Georgian people for their European identity” and of the Georgian people’s democratic credential. She also mentioned “progress on reforms” and that the “the status would provide also protection and security for Georgia” and “protection from Russia.”
Ms Zourabichvili also did not mention the deoligarchization, one of the 12 priorities, or indeed its target – Bidzina Ivanishvili.
"I am convinced that in the near future both Georgia and Ukraine will see their representatives sitting side by side in this very chamber," the president said, declaring "unequivocal and principled solidarity" with Ukraine.
Recalling Russia's aggression against Georgia, the President said: "Russia must understand that Georgia is Europe and that Europe is determined that Georgia should be Europe.
"Russia is trying to strengthen its influence and weaken the influence of Europe, this is for example a free visa regime, the restoration of direct flights, and everything is aimed at internal tension, confusion and escalation. This will not happen, neither for Georgia nor for Europe," the President added.
Acknowledging Georgia's democratic shortcomings, Ms Zourabichvili made the case for Georgia's EU candidate status, saying it would cement Georgia's role as a pro-European force in the region, safeguard democracy and leave no "grey areas" for Russia to focus on after its failure in Ukraine.
"Pardon is a right that must be exercised by the president [...] free from any pressure, be it external or internal," said Salome Zourabichvili, alluding to European Parliament resolutions calling on the president to pardon Mtavari TV chief Nika Gvaramia.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the GD parliamentary group, praised Zourabichvili's "softened tone" in Brussels, saying that the people's reaction had caused it.
Number of MEPs and rallied in the European Parliament’s corridor with portraits of Nika Gvaramia and the imprisoned President Saakashvili calling Zourabichvili to pardon them.
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