Meka Botchurishvili, Georgia's Foreign Minister, stated in a panel in Dubai that Georgia still hopes for membership in the European Union, but urged European countries to demonstrate their seriousness regarding the expansion of this union, especially in the South Caucasus and Georgia.
The Necessity of Dialogue and Mutual Respect
Botchurishvili, who also serves as Georgia's Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized the need for intensive dialogue and cooperation between Georgia and Europe. He stated: "We need to learn and exchange views, and for this, we need very active dialogue and cooperation." He also urged Brussels to respect Georgia's rights and pay attention to shared values.
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Challenges on the Path to Membership
While Georgia is still ready to discuss membership in the European Union, Botchurishvili noted that European countries must also recognize the importance of dialogue and mutual respect with this country. This comes as Georgia's membership process has significantly slowed due to strained relations with Brussels and the European Union's criticisms regarding the democratic process in Georgia.
The Foreign Minister of Georgia emphasized that the country's identity and European aspirations are deeply intertwined with its history and culture, and Georgians naturally lean towards Europe. He also reminded that this issue is sensitive and complex due to its geopolitical and historical contexts.
Opportunities and Challenges Against Russia
In response to criticisms regarding Georgia's closeness to Russia and the lack of real progress towards EU membership, Botchurishvili pointed to the security threats posed by the presence of Russian forces in the occupied regions of Georgia, stating: "We also look at this situation from the perspective of opportunities." He emphasized maintaining peace and stability and economic development as Georgia's current strategy.
He highlighted Georgia's 8% economic growth, stressing that this should be seen as the best response to the misconceptions about the country. Botchurishvili also emphasized the importance of the South Caucasus for the security and prosperity of Europe, stating: "Georgia is currently of special importance in connecting Asia and Europe."
In conclusion, Botchurishvili spoke about the existence of a large misinformation campaign against Georgia due to its geopolitical significance and stressed the need to understand the history and experiences of this country in political contexts.
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