Georgia “eager” to be under NATO’s protective umbrella, but has to act amid its absence - ruling party MP
Irakli Chikovani, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday spoke about the Government's foreign policy priorities. Photo: Irakli Chikovani’s Facebook
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Irakli Chikovani, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday told the Parliament the country was “eager” to be under the collective security umbrella of NATO, but the Government had to implement its policies amid its absence.
Yes, NATO is a collective security organisation, and yes, we would very much like to be under this umbrella, but unfortunately we are not, and that complicates our positions”, said the MP.
The comment comes on the backdrop of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Government officials pointing to the absence of “any security umbrellas” for the country in statements backing policies in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
For their part, several opposition groups have slammed the authorities for their refusal to impose individual sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and acceptance of Moscow’s decision earlier this year to resume direct flights with Georgia and lift visa free travel for Georgian nationals.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday claimed a “destructive revanchist campaign” by a part of the domestic opposition amid controversy around the proposed bill on transparency of foreign influence, alleging the opposition was aiming to cause “dissatisfaction and agitation” among the public using the subject.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday claimed his Government had ensured protection of interests of citizens and domestic security while acting “in full accordance” with international partners to back Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday said the decision to raise Georgia-China cooperation to a “strategic partnership” would provide for more opportunities to develop trade and economic relations between the two states.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, on Wednesday, responded to the Russian Government lifting its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying it was a “sole decision” of official Moscow and the Georgian side “could not have any influence” on it.