Tsulukiani: joining Eurasian Union is unacceptable for Georgia

Georgia will continue its European integration; therefore, accession to the Eurasian Union is unacceptable for the country, said Teya Tsulukiani, the Minister of Justice of Georgia. In his turn, Archil Chkoidze, the head of NGO "Irakli II Society" believes that joining the Eurasian Union is beneficial to the economy of Georgia, but Avigdor Janderi, an economist from the "New Economic School" is sure that Georgia's accession to the Eurasian Union means higher prices and increased corruption and taxes.

Earlier, on September 4, the Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili commented on Georgia's chances to enter the Eurasian Union at his press conference. "I am carefully watching and studying the situation. At this stage, we have no clear position on the issue, although when viewed in the long term perspective, why not, if it matches the Georgian strategy," the "Interpress News" quotes Mr Ivanishvili as saying.

The "Georgia-Online" reports, in its turn, that Maya Panjikidze, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, said that "the Eurasian Union will interfere with the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, there are and will be no debates on the issue." The parliament has subjected Ivanishvili's words to harsh criticism.

Meanwhile, a number of Georgian political analysts treat the accession to the Eurasian Union as beneficial for the country. According to the above Archil Chkoidze, by joining the Eurasian Union, Georgia will be able to settle its relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

However, other Georgian experts are sure that the Eurasian Union will harm Georgia. The above Avigdor Janderi believes that Georgia has already formed into a self-sustained political nation with a high liberalization level, which cannot accept the lifestyle, offered by Russia and the Eurasian Union.