PM Bakhtadze reponds to Russian official: Georgia’s future not set by Kremlin

“Georgia is an independent country and its future is not set by the Kremlin”, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said.

In an interview with Imedi TV, PM Bakhtadze referred to the recent statement of the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin.

• Karasin said the “tone used” towards Russia by US State Secretary Mike Pompeo during his meeting with PM Bakhtadze “is not something that is in Russian interests.”
• Pompeo expressed hope earlier this week that Georgia will construct the Anaklia deep-sea port, which will help the country avoid Russian and Chinese economic influence.

PM Bakhtadze said that in recent years Russia has been trying to create an impression as if it could use the right of veto on Georgia’s foreign priorities.

Our nation has made a civilisational choice, which considers Georgia’s integration to NATO, its integration to the European Union and Georgia’s strategic partnership with the United States”, he stated.

PM Bakhtadze underscored that Georgia is a successful country in all of these three directions.

Georgia has never been so close with NATO, it has never been so close with EU and US-Georgia relations have never been on such a high level”, PM Bakhtadze added.

He then stressed that Georgia will continue "stable and sustainable development" and gradually it will achieve all of its goals.

PM Bakhtadze also explained that Georgia’s foreign aspirations are not directed against anyone. He said, it is first of all oriented on its national interests and the values that unite Georgia, as well as NATO and EU.