Georgian FM: Brussels chooses pressure over dialogue with Georgia, making strategic mistake

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday criticised the European Union’s leadership in Brussels, saying that the EU bureaucracy was increasingly unable to properly perceive and assess objective reality - not only regarding Georgia, but also in relation to broader developments taking place within Europe.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili stated that Brussels lacks both strategic vision and the capacity to implement such a vision, adding that this has resulted in a failure to understand the importance of Georgia-EU relations.

“In Brussels today, there is a very limited ability to perceive objective reality correctly and to evaluate it properly. This does not concern only Georgia - in general, what is happening in Brussels is not being adequately analysed. On this backdrop, it is not surprising that Brussels’ bureaucracy fails to understand the significance of relations with Georgia”, the Minister said.

Botchorishvili also referred to comments made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noting that he has repeatedly pointed out similar shortcomings, including during the Munich Security Conference.

The Minister further highlighted the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor for the EU’s security and economic interests, stressing that Georgia plays a crucial role in its development.

“At a time when the European Union needs the development of the Middle Corridor for its own security and economic security - a process in which Georgia’s participation is a crucial component - Brussels once again chooses the language of pressure rather than dialogue in its relations with Georgia. This is undoubtedly a strategic mistake made by the current Brussels’ bureaucracy. Among EU member states, awareness of this strategic necessity related to Georgia is growing. However, we know the attitude of Brussels itself and the current composition of the European Commission, and I have no great expectations there”, the FM continued.

Botchorishvili added that EU foreign policy positions were significantly influenced by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

“When Kaja Kallas largely determines what position the EU should take in foreign relations, rather than the EU member states themselves, this is significant. On the one hand, there is talk about the necessity of sovereignty and the need to prioritise it, while on the other hand, relations with third countries are defined by Kaja Kallas. This is another anomaly we are witnessing in Brussels’ foreign policy today. I have visited several capitals, and their strong positions on these principles are particularly evident - including Budapest and Bratislava. The Slovak authorities also frequently speak about sovereignty, and this is an important foundation from which, if there is still any chance for pragmatic policy implementation in Brussels, a starting point can be found”, the Foreign Minister concluded.