Georgian FM nominee says country continuing on “irreversible path” of European integration

Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the Parliament's European Integration Committee who on Monday was nominated for the post of the country’s Foreign Minister by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, on Tuesday said the country continued its irreversible path” of European integration.

In her remarks at a joint meeting of parliamentary committees, Botchorishvili noted the task of the Georgian Government was to “ensure a reboot” of relations with the United States, which she said “means restoring relations based on the principles of equality and fairness”.

The past four years have shown with particular intensity how much influence external factors have on our country's domestic policy and, conversely, how our country's domestic affairs are used in foreign policy. Therefore, the implementation of foreign policy requires both special courage and caution, taking into account the challenges we face”, the FM nominee said.

The official further stressed that reunification of the country and peaceful restoration of its territorial integrity remained the Government’s “top priority”.

“In this regard, particular importance is attached to maintaining issues related to the peaceful resolution of the [2008] Russo-Georgian conflict at a high level on the international agenda. The Georgian Government will continue to work actively and use all possible diplomatic and legal levers to deoccupy the occupied territories of Georgia”, she continued.

Botchorishvili also reviewed the country’s European integration by describing it as an “irreversible path”.

A distinct priority will be relations with NATO and the European Union. Our priority is to prepare Georgia for EU membership. In order for Georgia's EU accession process to be successful, dialogue with partners is necessary. Dialogue cannot be a language of ultimatums. It is necessary to seek constructive approaches between partners on all critical issues”, Botchorishvili said.

She added it was “important to make maximum use” of existing strategic partnership formats.

Botchorishvili further extended her gratitude to the incumbent Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili for leading the foreign office “during this most difficult period” and for his “excellent cooperation” with the Georgian Parliament.

Earlier today, three parliamentary committees endorsed Botchorishvili's candidacy for the position of the Foreign Minister.