Georgian PM: if we look at EU’s objective interests, the only interest it can objectively have is to deepen relations with Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that the European Union’s sole objective interest was to deepen relations with Georgia, emphasising the country’s irreplaceable role as a bridge between Europe and the East amid severed connections with Russia and instability in the Middle East.

During his annual address to the Parliament, Kobakhidze pointed out that the EU faces significant connectivity challenges in its eastern direction due to the complete cutoff with Russia and problems in the Middle East.

“If we look at the EU’s objective interests, the only interest it can objectively have is to deepen relations with Georgia. Connections with Russia have been completely cut off. There is a problematic situation in the Middle East, and the only natural bridge between the European Union and the East remains the South Caucasus bridge, which cannot function without Georgia. A high-ranking EU official once said something along the lines that it could function without Georgia - I will not go into details, but it is unserious”, he said.

The Prime Minister criticised some high-ranking EU officials for making unrealistic statements that ignore basic geography.

“At a minimum, one should have seen a map and understand geography in order not to make such statements. That is why we have doubts that the European bureaucracy is acting in accordance with the objective interests of Europe’s population”, he stressed.

Despite current difficulties, he remained optimistic about the restoration of full relations.

“We have a well-founded suspicion here. Otherwise, the European bureaucracy would be fully focused on improving relations with Georgia, including economic relations. As for the rest, we will wait for developments and see how the processes continue. We remain optimistic that full relations between Georgia and the European Union will be restored”, Kobakhidze concluded.