Shalva Kereselidze on “Georgian Dream”: Because of advancing Russia’s interests, they completely ruined relations with the European Union and failed to talk to Russia either about protecting the country’s economic or political interests
Because of advancing Russia’s interests, they completely ruined relations with the European Union and partner states from beginning to end, and on the other hand, they were also unable to talk to Russia about protecting Georgia’s economic or political interests, stated Shalva Kereselidze, an MP from “Gakharia for Georgia,” responding to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry that “attention should be focused on Tbilisi providing guarantees of non-use of force toward Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, as well as starting the delimitation of state borders.”
Kereselidze says that his political team is a force “that is capable of restoring relations with the European Union and also of talking to Russia to protect Georgian interests.”
“The Russian Foreign Ministry stated directly that Tbilisi should already start thinking seriously about the so-called specification and drawing of borders on the territory of Georgia regarding the emergence of three states. This is about Abkhazia and Samachablo. Can you imagine: on the one hand, because of advancing Russia’s interests and strengthening Russian influence, they completely ruined relations with the European Union and our partner states, and on the other hand, they themselves were unable to talk even to Russia about protecting Georgia’s economic or political interests. I will tell you directly here: we are the political force that is capable of restoring these lost, shattered, damaged relations with the European Union and the leading states of the European Union, and also of talking to Russia to protect Georgian interests, both in political and economic terms. The more you concede to Russia, do not think that, on the contrary, you will win their hearts and that they will take your interests into account. No, it will be even worse. Unfortunately, the processes are moving in the direction that, in the end, this historical territory of Samachablo, according to the plan that they have voiced more than once, they want to place under the administration of the Russian Federation,” Kereselidze stated.
As for the meeting of European Union foreign ministers, where, among other issues, the situation in Georgia will also be discussed, the MP says that full responsibility for the suspension of the European integration process lies with the Georgian government.
“The fact that dissenting opinion is persecuted in Georgia, that political parties are being banned in Georgia, that the European integration process is suspended in Georgia and relations with our partner states, the EU states, are ruined — this is, of course, obvious and very regrettable,” Kereselidze stated.
For information: today in Luxembourg, the European Union foreign ministers will discuss, among other issues, the situation in Georgia.
