Georgian PM: every state acts in line with its own national interests

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday that every state acts in accordance with its own national interests and that no one should have the illusion that one country works for the benefit of another at the expense of its own interests.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze said states establish friendly relations, cooperate and form partnerships when and where doing so serves their own interests.

“A number of statements and assessments made recently in connection with the 18th anniversary of the August 2008 War have sparked serious public discussion. Particularly noteworthy were attempts to assess, alongside the events of 2008, the historical decisions of Erekle II from the perspective of today’s political and ideological views. Against the backdrop of these statements and the discussion surrounding them, I consider it necessary to address state interests, the challenges facing Georgia, and the decisions that have shaped and will shape the fate of our country, taking into account both historical and current realities”, the PM said.

“Let us start with the fact that, from the very emergence of states and to this day, every state has acted primarily in accordance with its own national interests. Therefore, no one should have the illusion that one state seeks to benefit another while sacrificing its own interests in the process. This is precisely the reality underlying international politics. States seek to establish relations with one another in order to pursue and strengthen their own interests. Sometimes this takes the form of cooperation, and sometimes it is achieved through force - by means of political, economic or other forms of influence”, he continued.

Kobakhidze added that this was one of the fundamental principles of international relations - a formula without exceptions that had remained in effect throughout the history of states.

“Therefore, whether we like it or not, we must come to terms with this reality and view international politics without illusions, because states make friends, cooperate and form partnerships where and when it serves their interests”, he concluded.