Georgian FM: Georgia chooses stability, sovereignty, peace amid external pressure

Georgia has chosen stability over provocation, dialogue over isolation, and long-term national interests over short-term political gains amid unresolved conflicts and constant external pressure, said on Tuesday Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili at the Budapest Global Dialogue.

Botchorishvili addressed participants of the Budapest Global Dialogue, where world leaders and officials were discussing global and regional security challenges.

“Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a great honour to join you in Budapest for the third Global Dialogue. I thank our Hungarian hosts and the organisers for creating a space where open conversation and strategic thinking are welcomed and encouraged”, she said.

In her address, the Foreign Minister outlined Georgia’s strategic priorities, emphasising peace, sovereignty, resilience, and economic stability as the foundations of national security.

“The erosion of the global order and the growing spread of hybrid threats have made today’s security environment increasingly complex. I represent a nation that understands the true value of peace, having endured the devastating consequences of war time and again. I represent a Government that, amid an exceptionally challenging geopolitical landscape, has placed the defence of national sovereignty at the very heart of its policy. Georgia is an ancient nation that has survived centuries of turmoil by preserving its Christian and traditional values, and that continues today to defend these principles with resolve and conviction”, she noted.

She stressed that sovereignty did not mean isolation, but responsibility - the right and duty of nations to make decisions based on their own history, interests, and the democratic will of their people.

“In today’s challenging environment, the concept of sovereignty has reemerged at the centre of political debate in different parts of the world. Sovereignty is not about isolation or rejecting cooperation. It is about responsibility. It is about the right - and the duty - of nations to make decisions based on their own history, their own interests, and the democratic will of their citizens. Without this foundation, no security architecture can be sustainable”, she continued.

Botchorishvili further highlighted that Georgia had faced unprecedented external pressure, disinformation campaigns, and what she described as unjust attacks on its elected Government and sovereign decisions.

“In recent years, Georgia has been placed under unprecedented international scrutiny. We have endured deliberate and unjust attacks - conducted under the claimed defence of democracy - yet directed against the will of the Georgian people, their elected government, and the legitimate actions of the state. We have clearly seen how international institutions, and even our genuine European aspirations, can at times be misused as instruments to exert pressure on sovereign nations and to challenge their sovereign rights. We have also witnessed the serious consequences that external interference in domestic affairs and the involvement of foreign actors in national politics can bring to any country. In such moments, resilience, and maturity of society become the strongest pillar of our statehood. Despite sustained disinformation campaigns and external pressure, Georgia stood firm”, the Minister noted.

She underlined Georgia’s role as a regional bridge between Europe and Asia, contributing to connectivity, trade, energy diversification, and regional stability.

“Guided by a policy rooted in our national interests, we acted responsibly, defended our sovereignty, and protected the future of our state. Georgia’s experience illustrates this clearly. Situated at a geopolitical crossroads, facing unresolved conflict and constant external pressure, Georgia has chosen stability over provocation, dialogue over isolation, and long-term national interest over short-term political gain. This approach is not a sign of weakness. It is about survival - and peace. For Georgia, peace is not an abstract ideal - it is a vital necessity”, she said.

Botchorishvili noted that Georgia, having endured repeated wars and ongoing occupation of nearly 20 percent of its territory, fully understood the value of peace and stability.

“Nearly 20 percent of our territory remains under Russian occupation, a powerful reminder of the costs of conflict and the fragility of security. Every day, the lives of our citizens, our communities, and our future are shaped by this reality. That is why Georgia cherishes peace, not only as a path to development and stability but as a moral and strategic imperative. We often face unfair criticism, yet it must be stated clearly: Georgia is a country that has proven itself a reliable partner and has made substantial contributions to transatlantic cooperation. It is a nation confronting one of the world’s most difficult geopolitical realities - without the protection of a security umbrella and without membership in any military alliance. That is why peace is our foundation and the only guarantee of our security. It is the promise of a future where our children can live free and safe”, the FM noted.

The Minister also highlighted Georgia’s economic resilience, pointing to sustained GDP growth, increased foreign direct investment, and the recovery of key sectors despite global crises.

“Security is not only military - it is also economic. Without economic strength, political independence is fragile, and the promise of a better life is at risk. Despite regional instability and global shocks - including the pandemic, energy crises, conflicts and disruptions to global supply chains - Georgia has demonstrated remarkable resilience and sustainable economic growth. Our GDP has expanded steadily, foreign direct investment has increased, and key sectors such as tourism, logistics, agriculture, and technology have shown strong recovery and innovation. Strong fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and a transparent regulatory environment have strengthened our foundations, making Georgia a reliable partner and an increasingly attractive destination for international business and investment”, she said.

“Our ports, transport corridors, and trade infrastructure connect the region and beyond, positioning Georgia as a hub for commerce and opportunity. This success is the result of bold policy choices, open markets, and an unwavering commitment to stability. It shows that a small nation, even in a challenging region, can achieve great things through vision, courage, and determination. This brings me to a principle that defines Georgia’s role in the region: we seek to be a connecting bridge, not a dividing wall”, Botchorishvili continued.

The Minister further highlighted Georgia’s geographical position.

“Geography has placed Georgia at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, with access to the Black Sea, linking continents, markets, and peoples. This position carries both responsibility and opportunity. Our role as a bridge benefits Europe by enhancing connectivity, supporting the diversification of energy supplies, and opening new markets for trade and investment. It is also a bridge of shared values”, she said.

“In this way, Georgia is not only securing its own future - it is strengthening Europe’s stability, prosperity, and resilience, with the Black Sea serving as a gateway to regional cooperation and partnership. Guided by history, courage, and principle, Georgia remains steadfast - a nation committed to peace, democracy, and values. Our path is clear: to protect our sovereignty, foster stability, and serve as a bridge of opportunity and cooperation”, she continued.

She concluded by warning that disinformation and manipulation of facts pose serious modern security threats and stressed that defending truth is essential to national and global resilience.

“Excellencies, in today’s interconnected world, security challenges extend far beyond traditional military or economic threats. Disinformation, the manipulation of facts, and the deliberate spread of false narratives have become powerful tools to destabilise societies, weaken institutions, and influence the political choices of citizens. These threats are global - they cross borders as easily as the internet transmits data - and they affect every nation, large or small”, the FM said.

“For countries like Georgia, which face both external pressures and unresolved conflict, defending the truth is essential. Truth is the cornerstone of resilience. It allows citizens to make informed decisions, enables institutions to act legitimately, and provides a shared reality upon which security, democracy, and development can be built. In confronting modern threats, the defence of truth is as crucial as the defence of borders or the maintenance of economic stability. To conclude, in a world of shared risks, true security depends on responsibility, dialogue, and an unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation among all nations”, she concluded.