FM nominee: Georgia’s neighbourhood policy to be “balanced”, “promoting peace” in region

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 Georgia’s neighbourhood policy would be “balanced and based on the principles of protecting territorial integrity, sovereignty, fostering good-neighborly relations, strengthening security, and promoting peace and stability in the region”.

In her speech at a joint session of parliamentary committees, Botchorishvili emphasised the country would “support dialogue and constructive cooperation between neighbouring countries as this aligns with the interests” of the entire region, stressing strengthening peace and stability was “the best opportunity for fully harnessing the unique potential of our region”.

She also highlighted the importance of Georgia’s “multidimensional cooperation” with Turkey and Azerbaijan within the strategic partnership in implementing “projects of regional and global importance”, adding “active cooperation” would also continue with neighbouring Armenia.

“We are committed to maintaining an unprecedentedly high dynamic of political dialogue at the highest levels with all three countries in the region, as we have seen in recent years”, Botchorishvili said.

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