Georgian FM: Georgia faced targeted, unjust attacks “in name of democracy”

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Tuesday described Georgia as having endured unprecedented international scrutiny and targeted, unjust attacks disguised as defence of democracy but directed against the will of the Georgian people, their elected Government, and legitimate state actions.

In her address at the Budapest Global Dialogue, Botchorishvili highlighted that the Government prioritised long-term national interest over short-term political gains, choosing stability over provocation and dialogue over isolation.

“In recent years, Georgia has been placed under unprecedented international scrutiny. We have endured deliberate and unjust attacks - conducted under the claimed defence of democracy - yet directed against the will of the Georgian people, their elected government, and the legitimate actions of the state”, she said.

“We have clearly seen how international institutions, and even our genuine European aspirations, can at times be misused as instruments to exert pressure on sovereign nations and to challenge their sovereign rights. We have also witnessed the serious consequences that external interference in domestic affairs and the involvement of foreign actors in national politics can bring to any country”, she continued.

The Foreign Minister stressed that resilience, responsibility, and national interest guided Georgia’s response to these challenges.

“In such moments, resilience, and maturity of society become the strongest pillar of our statehood. Despite sustained disinformation campaigns and external pressure, Georgia stood firm. Guided by a policy rooted in our national interests, we acted responsibly, defended our sovereignty, and protected the future of our state. Georgia’s experience illustrates this clearly”, she noted.

Botchorishvili further emphasised how Georgia, situated at a geopolitical crossroads with unresolved conflicts and constant external pressure, maintained its sovereignty and stability.

“Situated at a geopolitical crossroads, facing unresolved conflict and constant external pressure, Georgia has chosen stability over provocation, dialogue over isolation, and long-term national interest over short-term political gain. This approach is not a sign of weakness. It is about survival - and peace. For Georgia, peace is not an abstract ideal - it is a vital necessity”, she said.

She also reminded that almost 20% of Georgia’s territory remained under Russian occupation, highlighting the ongoing costs and fragility of security.

“Nearly 20 percent of our territory remains under Russian occupation, a powerful reminder of the costs of conflict and the fragility of security. Every day, the lives of our citizens, our communities, and our future are shaped by this reality”, she concluded.