“When it comes to Georgia, everything becomes the subject of certain speculation, including relations with China,” Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili stated live on the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel programme “Actual Topic with Maka Tsintsadze”.
“What is permissible, acceptable and justified for others, in Georgia’s case, is often unacceptable and, for some reason, is presented as such, which truly has no basis. Nothing extraordinary is happening. Georgia is doing nothing extraordinary. Georgia’s government protects its own country’s interests, and if we look carefully at our country’s geographical location, then it is very easy to understand why Georgia wishes to have good relations with other partners, relations which are in a way connected precisely to fulfilling our function, which is primarily a connectivity function, when the conversation is about fulfilling this function between West and East.
When we speak about this role, about connectivity, it is impossible to discuss all of this if we do not have well-developed relations with China. We have no basis whatsoever for these relations to be poor with China in this case, and, naturally, no desire either. We will continue relations with all partners in accordance with Georgia’s interests, including with China, and if this is needed for our country’s interests, our country’s economic development, implementing our country’s strategic function, these relations will naturally continue precisely within these frameworks,” Botchorishvili stated.
With this statement, Maka Botchorishvili responded to the programmee host, Maka Tsintsadze’s question about how far and in what way it is possible to maintain a certain balance in relations with China against the backdrop of clarifying relations with the United States and Europe, whilst Georgia’s interests are simultaneously fully protected, since criticism regarding this is very often heard from the West as well, although the authors of critical statements and countries simultaneously try to arrange relations with China and cooperate with them.
When Maka Tsintsadze asked what she would respond to opponents’ criticism regarding the fact that Georgia’s government was not invited to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Shanghai and the celebrations or other ceremonial events running parallel to this summit, Maka Botchorishvili stated that if Georgia’s government had been invited, this would probably have become grounds for criticising Georgia’s government with fresh enthusiasm.
“An explanation was provided regarding who was invited to this event and the reasons behind it. We do not hold any representation within the Shanghai Organisation, and, naturally, Georgia could not have been invited in any capacity to this event.
There exist various roles besides membership that states fulfil; in this case, Georgia has no role in the Shanghai Organisation, and despite this, Georgia is still a favourite subject of criticism when other states are represented there. Precisely those who participated in the Shanghai Organisation meeting attended this event. From our region as well, both Azerbaijan and Armenia were represented at this event, and this was precisely the explanation we received from the Chinese side regarding whom they were inviting to this event,” Botchorishvili stated.
When asked how active Georgia is in protecting its own strategic interests in this situation, Botchorishvili noted that Georgia’s government is doing this.
“We have repeatedly demonstrated our unwavering commitment to safeguarding Georgia’s interests, primarily to maintain stability within the country. When we speak of national security today, it encompasses many dimensions, ranging from food security and healthcare protection to the strength of our institutions. All of these elements are intrinsically linked to the security and stability of the nation.
Georgia’s government does everything to have strong institutions that have the strength to ensure stable development in the country. Proof of this is precisely the economic results the country has today, and, generally, the development path the country is following.
Without this, without stability, without security, without maintaining this, naturally it would be unimaginable to speak about any kind of development, whether it be economic development or other,” Maka Botchorishvili stated.
