“Everyone must be consistent in defending Georgia’s national interests. Statements on specific matters are not enough. European bureaucracy must demonstrate through concrete actions that it stands on the side of the Georgian people,” Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze told the media.

This comment was prompted by a statement from the Head of the European Union’s foreign policy service, Kaja Kallas, in which she said: “Within the framework of negotiations on Ukraine, the EU can demand that Russia reduce its military presence and withdraw its forces from Moldova and Georgia; this is in the interest of European security.”

The media representatives asked Kobakhidze what significance he attached to this statement.

“Such talk is welcome in itself, but there is a well-known saying: the oath I trust, the outcome gives me pause. When there is talk of defending our national interests, other steps must follow, and one must not simultaneously take actions that artificially create additional risks for the country in various directions. Everyone must therefore be consistent in defending our national interests. It is not enough to issue statements on specific matters. The European bureaucracy must demonstrate through its actions that it stands with the Georgian people. Until now, throughout all these years, European bureaucracy has stood on precisely the opposite side, in opposition to the national interests of the Georgian people and of Georgia,” the Prime Minister declared.