Georgian FM hopes EU will open doors to new members by 2030, says Europe’s strength lies in enlargement

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Monday reviewed the country’s foreign policy priorities, relations with the European Union, and Georgia’s transit potential, highlighting Georgia’s vital role in connectivity.

Botchorishvili noted that when discussing connectivity issues, certain problems can also be seen on the European side, particularly within EU bureaucracy.

“In this regard, we see opportunities, and many steps are being taken to ensure that we can pragmatically make use of the opportunities related to this transit function and properly position our country”, she said.

Botchorishvili further added that “the greatest lack of pragmatism, unfortunately, appeared to come from the European side”.

“At a time when Europe today vitally needs Georgia and connectivity with the rest of the world through Georgia, under such conditions the EU bureaucracy is not discussing this matter with Georgia. The reasons for this would take us far, but when we talk about pragmatic policy, the question is how ready European bureaucracy is today to actually look ahead - or not be more dependent on other powers than it already is. Much is being said about how independent Europe is today and how capable it is of managing its own affairs”, the minister noted.

Botchorishvili further emphasised that the Georgian government’s main priority was the country’s security.

“What we are protecting is very clear - first and foremost, the security of our country. When we talk about the reasons behind our decisions, they are directly linked to Georgia’s security. We clearly remember where the shift in attitudes towards Georgia began and how myths about the country were created. When discussing this, it is impossible not to refer to the processes taking place in Ukraine. The threats our country faced were not an illusion - they were very genuine, particularly when there were discussions about opening a second front and involving Georgia in the war”, she said.

“Had we not protected the country’s security, despite the risks and the pressure that the Georgian government took upon itself, today there would be no discussion about European integration at all. It is better to argue about European integration and the pace of integration than to face other problems today - if we would even be able to do so”, Botchorishvili added.

The minister further discussed the EU’s enlargement prospects.

“As for 2030, I would like to hope that by 2030 the European Union will be in a position to open its doors to new member states and proceed with enlargement. I sincerely believe that Europe’s only strength lies precisely in enlargement - in bringing all states belonging to European civilisation under one umbrella. However, this must be based on pragmatic and realistic policies; otherwise, it would likely be unimaginable and impossible”, she concluded.