Georgian FM says South Caucasus key to Europe’s security, prosperity in any serious enlargement discussion

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said on Wednesday that if the European Union was serious about enlargement and Europe’s security, it must recognise that the South Caucasus was an important part of the map that matters for both Europe’s security and prosperity.

Speaking during a thematic discussion at the Euronews Forum, “Shaping the National Narrative in the Era of Open Media”, held as part of the Arab Media Summit in the United Arab Emirates, Botchorishvili described the European Union as an important partner for Georgia that would remain so.

“The European Union is an important partner for Georgia and will remain so. This is a particularly emotional issue for us - it is connected to our identity and our history, but at the same time, it is also our future”, she said.

She emphasised that Georgia’s aspiration towards Europe was a natural process for Georgians, noting that European aspirations and a European identity were deeply rooted in Georgia’s history and national identity.

The Minister said that further development of relations between Georgia and the European Union required intensive dialogue, mutual respect and the sharing of experience.

“If we are talking about enlargement and if we are serious about Europe’s security, we must recognise that the South Caucasus is an important part of the map that matters both for Europe’s security and its prosperity. We have a European aspiration, but we do not have experience of being part of the European family. Europe wants enlargement, but Europe also does not have experience of being present in the South Caucasus. Therefore, both sides need to learn and share experience. For this, intensive dialogue and joint work are essential”, Botchorishvili concluded.