The European Parliament’s resolution on the need to release former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and allow him to be treated abroad caused a negative reaction in Tbilisi. They considered it a blackmail in terms of Georgia’s non-receipt for EU membership.
The European Parliament resolution on Saakashvili has no value when it refers to direct patronage of the criminal by its lobbyists. This was stated by the Secretary General of the ruling "Georgian Dream" Kakha Kaladze. If we are spoken in the language of blackmail, is this acceptable? I am sure that no self-respecting Georgians will not accept a conversation with such vocabulary," he said.
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Archil Talakvadze also commented on the document of the European Parliament. "They say to us: no matter what your democracy says and what your people want, but what we tell you, Georgia should do. It turns out that the law is not the main thing, the main thing that this question concerns," said Archil Talakvadze.
The resolution requesting Mikhail Saakashvili to receive proper medical care was supported by 577 deputies out of 636. In their opinion, the Georgian government’s commitment to European values determines the attitude to this issue. " Persistent failures to improve the condition of the former president could hinder Georgia’s prospects of becoming an EU candidate," the resolution says.