“Nobody understands better than the Georgian people and the government they have elected, at which crossroads this country stands. The will of the Georgian people is expressed through their choice of government, which, in a democratic world, gives voice to that will,” declared Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, speaking to journalists following her meeting with EU Ambassador Pawel Herczyński.

Botchorishvili stressed that Georgia’s government represents precisely the people about whom Brussels professes such concern.

“The government knows best and feels most acutely at which crossroads Georgia stands, how much Georgia’s security requires vigilance, and how greatly Georgia needs stability. How little we need the further polarisation of our society and the encouragement of a radical agenda. Equally, we need neither a dark past nor threats of that kind. The statements, the actions, the steps taken by Brussels, and the attitude we are witnessing towards Georgia’s government, which, it bears noting, was elected by the Georgian people, are unacceptable. They are directed solely and entirely towards stoking polarisation within this society,” Botchorishvili declared.

She explained that anything inflaming division within Georgian society is unacceptable, as is any encouragement of a radical agenda.

“Whatever explanations we may be offered, facts and actions remain facts and actions. The picture we are seeing today is unacceptable. Georgia is a conscientious partner. Georgia has done nothing in its relations with the EU that could have harmed any EU interest. Accordingly, we expect Brussels to adopt towards Georgia the attitude that a partner acting in good faith deserves. We are not seeing that at present. The statements and steps we are witnessing are a direct reflection of that failure. If we want relations to return to a normal footing, the very least required is mutual respect and a relationship built on trust, the kind of trust that is being eroded by precisely these steps and statements,” Botchorishvili said.

Today’s meeting between EU Ambassador Pawel Herczyński and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili took place at the Avlabari Residence.