Georgian Parliament official says Western officials urged Georgia toward “economic suicide” over sanctions on Russia

Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the foreign relations committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday stressed over the last four years, Western officials had been urging Georgia to commit an economic suicide by imposing bilateral sanctions on Russia that would not only jeopardize the security and stability of the country but expose the statehood to severe existential threats.

In his speech during the Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia trilateral Parliamentary meeting in Baku, Samkharadze extended sincere appreciation to all the governments which, despite considerable pressure, never hesitated to foster friendly and cooperative relations with Georgia, adding that Azerbaijan and Turkey were among them.

He further emphasised that the partnerships between the three countries were built upon tangible commitment and mutual respect rather than empty words and broken promises.

“On behalf of the Parliament of Georgia, let me express a sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to our delegation during the trilateral parliamentary meeting in Baku. This platform presents a valuable opportunity to further bolster our cordial relations, articulate and exchange our views on the matters of respective and mutual interests, and advance regional stability and security through collaborative efforts”, Samkharadze said.

He highlighted that the contemporary global landscape was marked by significant geopolitical upheavals and gradual erosion of the rules-based international order.

“Major powers appear increasingly constrained, unwilling to uphold the principles of international law, thereby setting concerning precedents, particularly for relatively modest and vulnerable states. Against this backdrop, the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali remain under illegal occupation while the ethnic Georgian population therein faces adverse policies imposed by the occupation forces including children who are deliberately barred from receiving an education in their native language. Furthermore, the occupation forces routinely resort to detention, torture, extortion and even shootings of unarmed Georgian civilians. Such precarious circumstances are further exacerbated by the growing arcs of armed conflicts across the surrounding regions such as the Russo-Ukrainian war, developments in Iran, and the wider Middle East”, he noted.

Samkharadze underscored that notwithstanding an immense pressure, Georgia remained steadfast in its commitment to diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of all disputes.

“Regrettably, some of the states and organisations who have been portraying themselves as the steadfast partners and friends of Georgia, and were regarded as such by ourselves have demonstrated disappointing approaches that fall short of the spirit of friendship and constructive partnership. Over the last four years, certain officials, diplomats, and governments from the West have been urging Georgia to commit an economic suicide by imposing bilateral sanctions on the Russia, and thus pursue escalation beyond the economic sphere into political and military domains - measures that would not only jeopardize the security and stability of Georgia but expose our statehood to severe existential threats”, the official added.

“After their instructions were declined, they began supporting violent groups disguised as non-governmental organizations and civil movements, under the pretense of unsubstantiated allegations and accusations. Although limited in quantity, these violent mobs called for a coup during their live broadcasts, stormed the government buildings and inflicted grave, in some cases permanent injuries on law enforcement personnel. Yet, the same foreign politicians, officials and diplomats not only refrained from condemning such heinous acts of violence, but in certain instances directly condoned it. Some of them even appeared at the demonstrations, thereby interfering abruptly in the domestic affairs of Georgia”, he continued.

Samkharadze claimed that the only damage the architects and the instigators of this entire ordeal incurred was not to the state or the Georgian government, but their own reputation, as the Georgian people as indicated by evidence and public opinion data, no longer held them in high esteem.

“I hereby extend a sincere appreciation to all the governments who opted for constructive engagement and despite considerable pressure, never hesitated to foster friendly and cooperative relations with Georgia. Undoubtedly, Azerbaijan and Türkiye are among them. This demonstrates that our partnerships are built upon tangible commitment and mutual respect rather than empty words and broken promises”, he stressed.

He expressed the government’s confidence that the recent peaceful resolution of the decades-long conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia would further clarify and enhance this landscape, advancing stability and security of the South Caucasus and the Black Sea basin.

He further underscored the importance of the trilateral cooperation between Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan as well, notably in the energy sector, the trade and transport routes, and the other projects of strategic significance.

“Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye have become the major transit hub between Asia and Europe. The Southern Gas Corridor represents a milestone in enhancing the region’s energy security and plays a crucial role in diversifying the energy sources for Europe. Through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, the South Caucasus Energy Corridor strengthens trilateral cooperation in energy transportation, fosters economic growth and reinforces connections between our region and the West”, the official said.

“The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway further enhances trilateral collaboration in transport, trade, and energy. Additionally, the new Black Sea submarine cable offers a unique opportunity to transform the region into a strategic energy hub, thereby improving internal energy market, advancing the clean energy transition, and fostering unprecedented intercontinental connectivity”, he added.

Samkharadze reiterated the government’s gratitude to Azerbaijan and Türkiye for their resolute cooperation and their consistent support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia through non-recognition policy, the UN General Assembly resolutions and other international platforms.

“I anticipate that the cordial ties between our three nations will advance further, fostering progress both on bilateral and multilateral levels”, he concluded.