“The stake of Europe will be determined by the outcome of the war in Ukraine, by the outcome of the elections in Moldova, and by the outcome of the elections in Georgia. That will determine, for instance, the security of the Black Sea and the future of the Black Sea as a sea of cooperation, as a sea of peace and connectivity,” the Georgian President, Salome Zourabichvili, stated at the Warsaw Security Forum.
She reiterated that 80% of the Georgian population firmly supports the country’s European path, despite efforts by certain forces to derail it.
“The democratic forces and the pro-European forces in Georgia have always been there, and have always been the very vast majority of the country. They know where our future is. They know that we have no alternative, and so I’m very confident that the Georgian population that has been for 30 years, despite the war that we were mentioning, despite all the attempts of Russia to derail the European path of Georgia, 80% of the population over the years, steadily is supportive of the European path and European future. The elections that we’re going to have on the 26th of October are going to be determining. There are many forces that work against the will of the Georgian population, but I’m confident that our future is in Europe.
Our future is also defended by Ukraine as Ukraine is fighting for itself, for its independence, and for Europe’s freedom. Ukraine is also fighting for our freedom. And the stake of Europe will be determined by the outcome of the war in Ukraine, by the outcome of the elections in Moldova, and by the outcome of the elections in Georgia. That will determine, for instance, the security of the Black Sea and the future of the Black Sea as a sea of cooperation, as a sea of peace and connectivity. That will determine the role of Europe in the Caucasus, of Europe and our Western partners. That will determine the future of Armenia, which is now on its path also towards getting closer to the European Union. So, everything that is at stake these days is very important and more important than anything else. What is at stake is peace. Peace through the expression of the free will of the people in Georgia, as in Moldova,” President stated.
She continued: “We are the other side of the coin. Ukraine is experiencing military aggression, we are experiencing another type, which is the hybrid war propaganda, pressure of all kinds, fear that is used, and suppression. We have had this Russian law, which is now in action and tries to suppress civil society, to restrict it. That’s what is at stake in the elections. And again, I think that by the elections, the Georgian people’s will, their will, will overcome these threats, which are very real. I cannot just minimize them. They are very real, but I am confident that the strengths of the people of Georgia who have lived through many pressures, fears and struggles to defend their independence and their European future, I’m sure they will overcome.”
In addition, during her speech at the forum, a journalist asked Zourabichvili a question about possible threats to Georgia from Russia.
“Georgia had many experiences with Russia before 2014, before 2008, it started each time Georgia was independent. It started in 1921. It was the same after the independence in 1991. So, the Georgian people know that bowing down does not bring peace. It does not bring you any form of accommodation with Russia.
There are some people who will support (pro-Russian course), although it’s a small group that is more around these authorities because of privileges, because of corruption, because of pressure, and because of kompromat. We are in a situation where we see the replication of Russian modus operandi, and Russian law was a sign that the authorities, because they cannot gather support any longer, are trying through different methods, through different laws, to really put pressure on the society. But again, I’m confident in society, because we have had enough historic experience. To know, where our future is,” he President declared.
When asked about potential Russian military action if the situation in Georgia does not align with Moscow’s interests, Zourabichvili responded: “That’s certainly not a hypothesis that I will voice. And I don’t think that Russia is in a position to try that. Although you can never say never about anything. But I think that the strategy that Russia is using today in Georgia is to use what has become a proxy, which is the Georgian (parliamentary) majority, the Georgian Dream has become a proxy for Russian interests.
So that means that their immediate strategy is not a military one, saying that Ukraine is enough for them. I hope so. But I hope that Ukraine will get stronger. I think that the answer to all these threats is solidarity around Ukraine, strengthening the Ukrainian defence, and allowing Ukraine to win the war that they are fighting for us.”
