PM on 2008 war: “unfortunate” then-Gov’t did not impose sanctions on Russia
The Government head also raised the matter of the “continuing impact of the war,” referring to the occupation of 20 percent of Georgia's territories by Russia and adding “we are well aware of how many risks and how many tragedies are taking place in Ukraine now” amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Government of Georgia
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The previous Georgian Government did not impose sanctions on Russia following the 2008 war between the countries, only severing diplomatic relations with the occupier country, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told reporters on Thursday in a briefing following a meeting with Polish colleague Mateusz Morawiecki.
During joint comments to the press, Garibashvili also noted world leaders had not imposed sanctions against Russia following the five-day war in 2008, recalling former Polish President Lech Kaczynski calling for “sharp and bold” decisions regarding Georgia's European integration in the wake of the conflict.
After the war, unfortunately, the then-Government handed over state-owned companies to Russia, sold strategic energy facilities, unilaterally lifted visa requirements for Russian citizens, and supported Russia's membership in the World Trade Organisation,” Garibashvili said.
The Government head also raised the matter of the “continuing impact of the war,” referring to the occupation of 20 percent of Georgia's territories by Russia and adding “we are well aware of how many risks and how many tragedies are taking place in Ukraine now” amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The war between Russia and Georgia began on August 8, 2008, and left 408 Georgian citizens dead and about 26,000 internally displaced.
Poland is an outstanding friend and partner of Georgia, with which we have strategic cooperation and close relations in a number of areas, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili said on Thursday, during his meeting with Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili will host his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki in Batumi today.
The “radical” section of political opposition in Georgia is seeking to serve its own interest in the local discourse around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday while responding to “misinformation and pointless campaigns” in the country about the government’s positions on the conflict.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili “has assured me” the Georgian Government is doing its best to stop the Russian aggression against Ukraine, uphold democratic values and support the freedom and sovereignty of the country, Mateusz Morawiecki, the Prime Minister of Poland, said on Thursday after his meeting with the Georgian counterpart.
The Georgian Government has supported Ukraine “at all political levels” and co-sponsored resolutions in aid of the country amid the Russian invasion, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki on Thursday.
Security challenges created in the Black Sea region as a result of the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, and the European Union membership bids submitted by the Associate Trio countries of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, were discussed at a meeting of Georgian and Polish Prime Ministers on Thursday.
Independent media committed to its values and principles is “essential” for democracy and civil society development, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said on Monday on the annual Day of Georgian Journalism.
The 2008 war between Russia and Georgia showed “we cannot rely on negotiations with the Kremlin”, Anna Fotyga, a Member of the European Parliament, said ahead of the upcoming 14th anniversary of the Russian invasion that sparked the five-day war between the two states.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on Tuesday said the decision at the NATO Bucharest Summit in 2008 not to grant Ukraine and Georgia the Membership Action Plan had been interpreted by Russia as “weakness” and a “clear invitation” to establish itself militarily in Europe.