FM Botchorishvili: Narratives spread about Georgia often do not reflect reality

Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, spoke about the disinformation campaigns directed against Georgia in recent years, as well as the country’s geopolitical significance, European aspirations, and international partnerships, during a panel discussion titled “Crafting National Narrative in the Era of Open Media” at the Euronews Forum held as part of the Arab Media Summit in the United Arab Emirates.

As Maka Botchorishvili noted, large-scale disinformation campaigns have been conducted against Georgia over the past few years; however, the narratives being spread often differ significantly from the reality on the ground.

“You will often hear various narratives about Georgia, but our message is simple: look at the numbers, the economic growth indicators, and the scale of the partnerships that Georgia is developing,” the Foreign Minister stated.

When discussing Georgia’s geopolitical importance, the Minister drew particular attention to connectivity and the role of the Middle Corridor.

“The Middle Corridor is not merely a corridor or a physical route; it is a space where all these elements converge,” Maka Botchorishvili noted.

She went on to say that Georgia occupies an important place in the broader context of European security, prosperity, and economic development, especially taking into account the strategic importance of the South Caucasus and connectivity.

The Foreign Minister also addressed the security challenges facing Georgia, emphasising that the Russian military forces’ presence in Georgian regions represents the primary threat to the country’s security.

At the same time, she noted that the existing geopolitical context also creates opportunities for Georgia, including maintaining peace, stability, and economic growth, as well as deepening partnerships with countries worldwide.

The Foreign Minister also spoke about relations with the European Union.

“The European Union is an important partner for Georgia and will remain so. This is a particularly emotional issue for us; it is tied to our identity, our history, but at the same time, it is also our future,” said the Minister.

She added that European aspirations and European identity are deeply rooted in Georgia’s history and character, making the pursuit of integration with Europe a natural process for the Georgian people.

The Foreign Minister also focused on EU enlargement, emphasising that the South Caucasus is a vital region for Europe’s security and prosperity.

“If we are talking about enlargement, and if we are talking seriously about European security, we must consider that the South Caucasus is an important part of the map that matters for both European security and its prosperity,” Maka Botchorishvili noted.

In her assessment, intensive dialogue, mutual respect, and experience sharing are essential for the further development of relations between Georgia and the European Union.

“We have European aspirations, but we lack the experience of being part of the European family. Europe wishes to expand, yet Europe has no experience in the South Caucasus either. Consequently, both sides need to learn and share experience, which requires intensive dialogue and joint efforts,” stated the Foreign Minister.

Maka Botchorishvili also noted that Georgia is expanding partnerships with various regions worldwide, which she emphasised serves to further strengthen the country’s pivotal role.

The Minister concluded by highlighting Georgia’s economic indicators and international trade relations.

“Georgia boasts one of the highest rates of economic growth in the region and across Europe—around 8%, which is an impressive figure. This is precisely the best response to all the false narratives heard about Georgia,” stated Maka Botchorishvili.

The panel discussion also featured the Minister of Economy and Tourism of the United Arab Emirates, Abdulla bin Touq, and Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration. Pedro Vargas David, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Euronews, moderated the session.