Speaker: Putin’s presence in Turkmenistan is opportunity to discuss peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity

“We engage with those who respect the Georgian people’s national interests. Respect from Russia’s side towards our national interests means ending the occupation. The occupation has not ended, therefore we do not engage,” Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili told journalists.

Papuashvili commented on the Georgian Prime Minister’s participation in an international forum in Turkmenistan dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is also attending.

According to Papuashvili, the Russian President’s presence in Turkmenistan is significant precisely because discussions will address peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the importance of international law.

“Georgia’s Prime Minister is in Turkmenistan at the forum by invitation of the Turkmen President, which is dedicated to peace issues. The host determines the participants of the forum. Georgia’s Prime Minister represents Georgia there. We respect our Turkmen colleagues. Representatives from various countries have been invited to the forum, and group photographs are often taken. You may have one type of relationship with one party and a different type with another. We have a special relationship with Turkmenistan, including a particular interest between Georgia and Turkmenistan, given Georgia’s role as a key component of the Middle Corridor. Of course, this reflects our respect towards Turkmenistan. No one obliges us to show respect; this is a matter of human and state relations. Nothing is being done at the expense of any interests,” Papuashvili stated.

The Speaker of Parliament stated that Georgia’s government has demonstrated one clear principle: that it acts solely in the national interests of the Georgian people.

“We are prepared to engage with anyone ready to respect our people’s national interests. The Georgian people’s national interest comprises two main national objectives: the reunification of our country and the growth of our people’s wellbeing. We act in the interests of our people and engage only with those who respect these values. Respect from Russia towards our, the Georgian people’s, national interests means ending the occupation. The occupation has not ended; therefore, we do not engage. We also do not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.

There is only one format, the Geneva format, where we have the opportunity, for humanitarian purposes, to have contact with representatives of the Russian Federation, as they have effective control over the occupied territories. On the other hand, we have stated on numerous occasions what the precondition is for resetting relations between Georgia and Russia: this is the de-occupation of Georgia,” Papuashvili noted.

When asked whether Irakli Kobakhidze and Vladimir Putin might speak to each other during the visit to Turkmenistan, Papuashvili stated that “no meeting whatsoever is envisaged.”

At the same time, he emphasised that Putin’s presence at the forum is significant, as the discussions will centre around peace and sovereignty.

“This is precisely why Russia’s President’s presence there is also important, so that we can discuss the importance of peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law. We say what we have to say. You see, our policy is very open and easy to understand. We speak the truth. Our economic or political weight is not so great that we can influence major political events, but I think one thing that the history of recent years has shown is that it is our word that matters.

Our main objective is that Russia must renounce its occupation of Georgian territories. Russia must be convinced that without recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity, it will not have the relationship it might wish to have in the region. Georgia has stated clearly that the main precondition is the de-occupation of our country,” Papuashvili declared.