Georgia’s Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili argued that Moldova is currently facing an economic crisis, with its growth hovering near zero in recent years — a situation he says is partly the responsibility of Brussels.

Papuashvili noted that in 2021 Moldova’s economic performance even surpassed Georgia’s.

“Georgia recorded roughly 10 percent growth in 2021, but Moldova reached about 11–12 percent. Then, in 2022, Moldova’s economy contracted by five percent. From 2022 to 2025, its growth was minimal, while Georgia consistently maintained rates between 8 and 10 percent. Moldova’s economy is essentially stagnating at around zero,” he said.

He contrasted this with Georgia’s approach, arguing that the key difference lies in policy choices.

“Moldova fully trusts Brussels. Georgia, however, refused to follow the quiet suggestions that we should join bilateral sanctions against Russia at the expense of our own people,” Papuashvili stated.

According to him, Georgia’s independent stance has paid off.

“The only real difference is this: our decisions have allowed us to outpace Moldova economically, several times over. We do not accept advice from Brussels when it harms Georgia. We act in Georgia’s best interests,” Papuashvili emphasised.