PM: No state should be expected to sacrifice its own interests for another

“Each state acts according to its own national interests. Therefore, no one should have the illusion that one state works for the benefit of another and sacrifices its own interests in its favor. This is the reality underlying international politics,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said at a briefing at the Government Administration.

According to the prime minister, states establish friendly relations, cooperate and form partnerships where and when doing so serves their interests.

“A number of statements and assessments made recently in connection with the 18th anniversary of the August 2008 war have sparked serious discussion in society. Particularly noteworthy were attempts to assess the historical decisions of King Erekle II from today’s political and ideological perspectives alongside assessments of the events of 2008.

Against the backdrop of these statements and the discussions surrounding them, I believe it is necessary to discuss state interests, the challenges facing Georgia, and the decisions that have shaped and continue to shape the fate of our country, taking into account both historical and present-day realities.

Let us begin with the fact that, since states were established, and just as today, every state acts first and foremost according to its own national interests.

Therefore, no one should have the illusion that one state works for the benefit of another and sacrifices its own interests in its favor. This is precisely the reality underlying international politics.

States seek to use their relations with one another to advance and strengthen their own interests. Sometimes this takes the form of cooperation, while at other times it occurs through coercion — by means of political, economic or other forms of influence.

“This is one of the fundamental principles of international relations, a formula without exceptions that has operated throughout the entire history of states.

“Therefore, whether we like it or not, we must accept this reality and look at international politics without illusions, because states establish friendships, cooperate and form partnerships where and when it corresponds to their interests,” the prime minister said.