Georgian FM: punishing Georgia serves others’ interests, not EU’s

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Sunday commented on the possible suspension of visa liberalisation by the European Union, emphasising that “if this continues, the only goal will be to punish Georgia - the people and the Government”.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili noted that such punitive action would serve the interests of others more than the European Union itself.

“Punishing Georgia and completely distancing it from the EU would correspond more to someone else’s interests than to those of the EU. It would be a purely punitive operation if it happened. But I hope it will not, and that Brussels will consider what Europe actually needs from and with Georgia today”, the FM said.

Botchorishvili stressed that Georgia was not the only side invested in the partnership.

“This is not a one-sided necessity. It is not only Georgia that needs the EU; the EU also needs Georgia. There are geopolitical explanations and circumstances for this, and these must be shared and understood in the EU and in Brussels”, the Minister concluded.