Georgian FM welcomes Kyiv’s steps toward continued dialogue

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said it was important for the Ukrainian side to have a “correct understanding” of public attitudes in Georgia regarding the actions and rhetoric demonstrated by representatives of the Ukrainian government in recent years.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, Botchorishvili noted that recent steps taken by the Ukrainian side toward continuing dialogue are “positive.”

“The initiative for the meeting with my Ukrainian colleague came from me. It is important for the Ukrainian side to properly understand the sentiments and attitudes that exist in Georgian society regarding the steps we have seen from representatives of the Ukrainian authorities over the past several years”, the FM said.

The minister reaffirmed Georgia’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also expressing concerns over Kyiv’s past approach toward Tbilisi.

“We support Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. However, we have our questions about what the attitude toward Georgia, the Georgian government, and Georgia’s security interests was serving. This created fair concerns within our society”, she continued.

She further added that these issues require open discussion and clarification of positions between the two countries.

“It is important that the Ukrainian side has a proper understanding of our expectations. Georgia’s support for Ukraine, both political and humanitarian, has been consistent throughout these years. We have never taken a step that would deserve dissatisfaction or criticism from the Ukrainian side. Nevertheless, we heard a great deal of criticism, and therefore these issues need to be properly discussed”, she said.

Botchorishvili added that communication between the sides will continue and described Ukraine’s recent efforts to maintain dialogue as encouraging.

“The attempts we are seeing from the Ukrainian side to continue dialogue are positive. Time will show what the future attitude toward Georgia will be, and this is decisive for us”, she noted.

The minister stressed that relations with Georgia and the Georgian people must be based on fairness and mutual respect.

“Attitudes toward Georgia, the Georgian people, and the Georgian state must be fair and based on respect. Otherwise, normalisation in any relationship is unimaginable”, Botchorishvili concluded.