Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: Georgia needs long-term peace more than ever

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said Georgia needed long-term peace now more than ever, as economic development was impossible without it.

In his remarks, Kaladze noted that the President of the United States was seeking to achieve peace and end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In response to a relevant question, he noted that the United States President Donal Trump was trying to achieve peace and bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“Of course, there remains a risk of being drawn into war until the Russia-Ukraine conflict is over. We must be very careful not to allow anyone to use our country for their own major interests”, the ruling party official said.

“As for Europe, I cannot say, but the United States is indeed trying to reach peace. Their main message has been exactly about ‘seeking peace’. Except for radicals and extremists represented in Georgia, we all agree that there is no alternative to peace. I will once again focus on my country: today Georgia needs long-term peace more than ever, because peace brings economic development, strengthens the state, and this is very valuable to us. Around the world, the majority of people and politicians now see how vital achieving peace really is”, he continued.

Kaladze stressed that there were major powers that had their own interests in relation to Georgia, but the Georgian people must prioritise their own national interests.

“I take into account the messages coming from the US and from President Trump, as well as from representatives of some European countries. Everyone can see, especially here in Georgia, how important it was to maintain peace and stability when certain media outlets were openly calling for war, saying bombs would be better than the policies of the current Government”, he said.

“Ultimately, everyone became convinced that peace and stability have no alternative. Yes, there are powerful countries with their own interests - America, Russia, and others all pursue their agendas. But we must think of our own country and people, because neither Americans, Europeans, nor Russians will safeguard Georgia’s interests. The so-called ‘messages’ we sometimes hear - that they care deeply about Georgia’s future - contradict the reality of what we saw behind closed doors, where they threatened us with war and sanctions. This is the truth, and the Georgian people must be aware of it”, Kaladze noted.

He also wished peace to Ukraine, stressing that ending the war remains the most urgent priority.