“The European choice of Georgia” – PM's opinion piece for Le Monde

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has spread his voice abroad and has been published in leading French media Le Monde.

His 881 word article, which he wrote in French for an opinion piece in the ‘Ideas’ section of the French newspaper’s website, highlighted Georgia’s foreign policy and other topics.

"From one of the major newspapers of the world to the streets of Ukraine, a heated debate is taking place about what it means to be "European … [and] my country has a deep and strong feeling to be European,” PM Garibashvili wrote in the article, published yesterday.|/

He said Georgia strived to create a country where democracy, human rights and the rule of law was honored. He said Georgia and its people aspired to live in peace with all its neighbours, including Russia, despite its occupation of Georgian territory, and the Government worked every day to build an economy that benefited all Georgians.

He said Georgia had no alternative but to continue the European and Euro-Atlantic Integration process and by signing the Association Agreement with the EU in Vilnius last year, Georgia had testified that European integration was "the only way to offer peace and long-term prosperity in our country.”

Garibashvili is fluent in French, and graduated from the Pantheon-Sorbonne University after two years of study, in 2004.

"As a student at Sorbonne, I was deeply impressed by the legacy of European Enlightenment thinkers who preceded us. I saw how a truly free and open society allows its citizens to realize their true potential,” he wrote.|/

"Then I dreamed that my country could one day reach this goal. As the new Prime Minister of Georgia, I now have the opportunity to make this dream a reality.”

Currently, Georgia is in a difficult position, trying to further align itself with the EU but at the same time the country aspired to live in peace with Russia.

"However, we firmly believe that free trade and visa liberalization, as stipulated in the Association Agreement with the EU, which we officially signed in August, does not limit our prospects of co-operation with Russia or other neighboring countries,” Garibashvili wrote in his column.

"As Prime Minister of Georgia, I am responsible to bring democracy, security and prosperity to the people of Georgia who have sacrificed a lot in recent years. Today our responsibility to success extends beyond our country. Today, people in Ukraine and other Eastern Partnership countries are turning to Georgia to confirm their European dream continues,” he said.|/

Looking ahead, Garibashvili said the Sochi Olympics would "test our commitment”.

"Despite the diversity of views on this issue in our society, we nevertheless have decided to participate in the Games, which are an expression of our goodwill and our commitment to the Olympic principles.

"We offered Russia our co-operation on security for the Olympic Games. Georgia, for its part, took further steps to ensure against any future attempt to use our territories for immoral purposes. In addition, we hope that the host country of the Olympic Games will have no surprises for us either.”

Garibashvili ended his article by reiterating the importance of Georgia’s integration with the EU.

"The EU and Georgia have much to gain from this partnership. Overall, our success will fundamentally change the equation in Eastern Europe and in the area around Georgia, for the benefit of all.”