Georgian PM to Global Security Forum: EU becoming “one of the largest trade partners” for Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday told the Global Security Forum in Bratislava the European Union was gradually becoming “one of the largest trade partners” of Georgia.

The European Union, with which I personally had the honour to sign an Association Agreement [in 2014], [as well as the] Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal, is gradually becoming one of the largest trade partners for Georgia. It takes time to see new alternatives, to find new markets”, he said.

Speaking about his country’s trade with Russia, Garibashvili said he “could not say” Russia was its biggest trade partner. 

It is important, but not the biggest. We are moving towards the European Union, as I have already mentioned - we are looking for new options, alternatives”, Garibashvili said.

The PM also noted the EU had “received €300 million from Russia” last year, saying “the EU and the United States have not cut off trade relations with Russia, and why should Georgia be an exception?”. He also stressed Georgia was “fully complying” with international financial sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. 

This was recognised by both the US State Department and EU agencies, but trade and economic relations are another matter. Georgia's economy is very small, and Georgia's trade with Russia is less than $1 billion. Last year, the EU paid €1 billion per day to Russia. In case of [the Georgian Government placing] economic sanctions [on Russia], our influence [on Russia’s economy] would be 0.3 percent”, he told the event in defence of his Government’s policy.

The second reason is that we were quite upset that nobody in the West took the 2008 war seriously”, Garibashvili said in reference to Russia’s invasion of Georgia and the subsequent occupation of two of the latter’s regions by Russian forces.

In response to a question by a Georgian citizen about the country’s “increasing dependence on Russia”, Garibashvili said the question was “provocative”.

I want to tell the hall who this person is - he is a representative of the opposition [...] Is it not a bit strange that he came to Bratislava and asked me this provocative question? Everyone in this hall understands that Georgia is showing a very reasonable, very pragmatic, rather unique attitude. We are trying to navigate this difficult situation while moving forward on our EU path and putting concrete, tangible results”, he said.

“[I]t is better to focus on the union of the opposition and the Government. We should be united, such false information should not be spread. ‘Relations with Russia have intensified’ - such false information is not valid”, the Government head added in his criticism of the question at the discussion. 

“I would like to clarify for the audience that we are doing everything to protect the national interests of Georgia. We protect, ensure prosperity, stability and peace in our country. At the same time, we are moving forward on our path towards the European Union”, Garibashvili said.