Georgian FM: Georgia can “wait with strategic patience” for Brussels to recognise importance of dialogue with Tbilisi

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said that Georgia can “wait with strategic patience” for Brussels to recognise the importance of dialogue with Tbilisi, stressing that such engagement is not only in Georgia’s interest but also essential for Europe’s future.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili noted that until the European Union fully acknowledges Georgia’s role and needs, the country will continue to expand its partnerships with various states across different regions.

“Georgia has a very strong and solid foundation for relations with the European Union. Our relations, of course, need development in the future, but this requires the will of both sides. Georgia has always had this strategic direction defined, and we can wait with strategic patience for Brussels to realize that dialogue with Georgia is needed not only for Georgia, but is also necessary for Europe’s future and is in our common interest”, she said.

Botchorishvili added that Georgia has a clearly defined strategic direction and sufficient time to pursue it, while urging European stakeholders responsible for foreign policy and the strengthening of the EU’s external relations to reflect on their approach.

“However, we have the opportunity and time to wait until those people who are obligated to realize this and take care of foreign policy, to take care of strengthening the European Union’s future ties in various directions, think about it and realise it”, she noted.

“Until then, we have our own work to do - expanding our ties in many directions, which is not only in Georgia’s interest and beneficial for the country, but also serves broader European interests”, the Minister concluded.