Georgia reaffirms support for Ukraine

"Misinterpretation” of Georgia’s stance on sanctions against Russia following the Ukraine crisis has forced the Minister of Foreign Affairs to reiterate the country’s position – Georgia undoubtedly supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze made a special statement further clarifying her earlier statement about the sanctions imposed on Russia in response to the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula, after political opponents tried to "misinterpret” her statement to "cast a shadow on the relations of the two countries”.

"When asked about the sanctions from the EU and the US, as well as the response from Russia, I gave a extensively answer, including the fact I noted [the sanctions] were not enough to make the critical situation be resolved and generally, there is a need of a more fundamental review of the European security system and fundamental conclusions have to be made,” Panjikidzesaid.

She categorically denied the political opponents’ claims and told journalists the Georgian Government had solidarity with Ukraine. She said it was important society clearly understood the Government’s position – Georgia was supportive of Ukraine, its territorial integrity and sovereignty and condemned the violation of international norms through which the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty was violated.

"How could Georgia have a different view of recent developments in Ukraine considering that we have experienced Russian aggression in 2008. [We] always tried to allude to our international partners that a fundamental approach was needed and a deeper analysis of what happened,” Panjikidze insisted.

Minister Panjikidze said Georgia’s support for Ukraine was evident in every statement made by Georgian officials, where it was always underlined Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected and "Crimea’s annexation is publicly condemned”.

She said she had "very active contact” with Ukrainian officials, including the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, and leaders of both countries had met on several occasions. 

Panjikidze said the accusations against the current Government were not supportive to Ukraine and were "absolutely irrelevant and commonly used by opponents to cast a shadow on the relations of the two countries”.

"This is not relevant behaviourfor the political parties which feel the responsibility in terms of foreign policy,” Panjikidze believed.

If the crisis in Ukraine escalated causing massive destabilization in the region, the need of fundamental review of the European security system and driving relevant conclusions would be obvious, she noted.