Speaker Papuashvili: Sovereignty means foreign policy driven by national interest, just as Armenia and Azerbaijan do, so does Georgia

“As a key bastion of peace and a standout nation for stability in our region, we intend to maintain proper relations with all our neighbours to strengthen our positions,” the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, told journalists.

Papuashvili addressed the Iranian delegation’s visit to Armenia, which also seeks EU membership, amid opposition backlash over Georgia’s relations with Iran.

“This highlights the absolute absurdity of the statements that domestic radicals parrot, which originate from individuals like Joe Wilson, who throw around terms like ‘pro-Iranian’ one day and ‘pro-Chinese’ the next. We see that in the case of other countries in the same region, of similar size, and with similar plans or foreign policy orientations, no such grievances are aired.

This proves yet again that allegations of being ‘pro-Iranian’ and the like, which we hear from politicians like Joe Wilson, are a complete farce. The absolute cornerstone of any country’s sovereignty is that its foreign policy must be driven entirely by its own national interests. Armenia does this, Azerbaijan does this, every country in our region does this, and Georgia does this too,” Shalva Papuashvili stated.

According to the Speaker, Georgia will certainly not seek anyone else’s permission on how to advance its national interests in its foreign relations.

“Consequently, it is absolutely no business of Joe Wilson or any other foreigner what kind of relations Georgia maintains with countries in its own region. We have already seen where those who act recklessly in this regard drag various regions, including our own. We intend to maintain proper relations with all our neighbours to consolidate our positions, serving as a pillar of peace and a country distinguished by its stability,” Shalva Papuashvili concluded.