The nature of the infringement on Georgia’s sovereignty by both Russia and the European Union is the same, differing only in degree. This was how Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze commented on the Georgian Foreign Ministry’s response to the EU’s criticism regarding the banning of opposition parties.
According to Kobakhidze, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts to the actions of the European Union in the exact same manner as it does to Russia’s interference in Georgia’s internal affairs, since “both sides encroach upon Georgia’s sovereignty,” with the difference lying merely in scale.
“We have made countless statements in response to the Russian side’s rhetoric. We have repeatedly issued comments and condemned Moscow’s position on a wide range of issues. Foremost among them, of course, remains the issue of occupation. In response to Russia’s statements, the foreign ministry has issued numerous official diplomatic notes.
Interference in internal affairs also includes reactions to the so-called elections in the occupied territories—this constitutes direct meddling, as both Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region are our internal matter. These are our territories, and every time Russia meddles in our internal affairs, we take a corresponding stance. We react in precisely the same way when European institutions attempt to interfere in our affairs.
Undoubtedly, these are challenges of a different order, but the essence is the same: both sides seek to exert pressure on our sovereignty and state governance. The nature of the infringement on sovereignty in the case of Russia and the EU is identical, differing only in degree—given that one involves occupied territories, which presents an issue of an entirely different magnitude. However, any interference in sovereignty remains a fundamental challenge to that sovereignty.”
According to Kobakhidze, Tbilisi expects this approach to change on the part of both the European Union and Russia.
“If they reconsider their position regarding the occupation, we are ready for dialogue with Russia should this paradigm shift. The same applies to European institutions—if they adjust their line. Even under current conditions, we continue to reach out to them, yet they evade dialogue, which clearly demonstrates their disposition. We seek engagement to bring about a change in this attitude toward Georgia.
We need to engage with Russia to encourage it to reconsider its policy of occupation. Likewise, we must maintain a dialogue with European institutions so that they abandon their anti-sovereignty policy toward Georgia,” Kobakhidze added.
