Georgian PM says closer ties with Georgia serve EU’s interests

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said it was in Europe’s objective interests to maintain the closest possible cooperation with Georgia, accusing some European bureaucrats and politicians of repeatedly attacking the Georgian people and acting under the influence of external forces.

Kobakhidze made the remarks in response to a journalist’s question about statements on Georgia made ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

He described the statements and actions as unacceptable and regrettable, saying that while several EU member states fully understood Georgia’s political and economic importance, some appointed bureaucrats and politicians were acting against Europe’s objective interests.

“There are a number of EU member states that fully understand Georgia’s importance from both a political and an economic perspective. However, there are appointed bureaucrats and politicians who act not in accordance with Europe’s objective interests, but under the influence of other forces, which is very regrettable”, Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister stressed that closer cooperation with Georgia would serve the European Union’s interests, while criticizing those who, he said, continued to target the Georgian people.

“Of course, it is in Europe’s objective interests to cooperate as closely as possible with Georgia. This is in the EU’s objective interests. However, there are people who do not act in accordance with the EU’s objective interests and constantly attack the Georgian people, which is absolutely unacceptable”, Kobakhidze noted.

Kobakhidze added that Georgia had become accustomed to what he described as attacks on its people by the European bureaucracy, calling the latest statements yet another attack on Georgia and its citizens.