Georgian FM reaffirms EU integration as Georgia’s primary foreign policy goal

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday dismissed opposition claims of a foreign policy shift, stating that Georgia’s strategic goal of European Union integration does not exclude developing relations with Central Asian countries and other regions, which serve both national and broader European interests.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili addressed claims that Georgia has allegedly changed its foreign policy vector.

“This is a very speculative narrative used by our opponents, which has no basis and is devoid of sense”, she said.

She noted that Georgia’s strategic European path was firmly defined in the Constitution and remains unchanged.

“Georgia has a very firm strategic choice, and our strategic path is defined by the Constitution. No country can define its strategic goal and path more firmly than this. This strategic path and goal does not exclude Georgia having and developing relations with various players and regions in the modern world, which is very important today, even for achieving this strategic goal”, Botchorishvili noted.

The Foreign Minister argued that this goal does not prevent the country from building partnerships with various players and regions.

“When we talk about our country’s integration, the European Union and the path to EU integration come to mind first, and this is our strategic goal, which is also reflected in the Constitution. This goal does not exclude the development of relations with Central Asian countries”, she stressed.

She also emphasized that developing ties with Central Asia was vital not only for Georgia and the South Caucasus but also for Europe, particularly through the Middle Corridor.

“The European Union also needs Georgia and the development of connections in the eastern direction through the Middle Corridor. Georgia is doing what is not only in the interests of our country and the region, but also in the interests of overall European security and European interests. This is what is being done, and this is exactly why Georgia needs strong ties to the east, in the direction of Asia”, Botchorishvili said.

The Minister highlighted the rapid economic growth in Asia and its importance for the continent’s economic security, calling for stronger and smarter use of these connections.

“Today, when we talk about economic power and development, it is impossible not to see the pace at which economies are developing in the east, the pace at which Asian countries are developing, and what role they play in the economic security of our continent. It is important for us to strengthen and correctly use these ties”, she noted.

Botchorishvili added that Georgia already enjoys good relations with some Central Asian states, but the potential is far greater, and failing to develop them would be a mistake.