Georgian PM highlights EU integration as Gov’t’s “top” foreign policy priority

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday highlighted the country’s integration into the European Union as his Government’s “top” foreign policy priority.

In his remarks at a Government meeting, Kobakhidze noted the Government’s approach involved “action instead of blackmail”, adding “we must continue on the path towards a full-fledged integration into the European Union”.

According to our electoral programme, we will fulfill over 90 percent of the obligations stipulated in the Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement agenda [with the EU], and this pledge will be delivered faithfully”, the PM said.

He further added the United States and the European Union would have new leaders, “making it possible for relations to be rebooted”.

We have a great hope that relations with both the United States and the European Union will be qualitatively rebooted. Donald Trump will be inaugurated on January 20, so the United States and the European Union will have new leaders, and under this leadership, we believe that relations can be rebooted, and we believe that we should do everything to enhance relations”, he continued.

Kobakhidze added relations with the country’s western partners had “faced serious problems” over the past four years, with “artificial obstacles created” on the path of Georgia's European integration.

There was serious, blatant blackmail. ‘Action instead of blackmail’ - this is our attitude, and with this attitude we must definitely continue our path towards Georgia's full-fledged integration into the European Union”, the PM concluded.

Kobakhidze on Sunday highlighted “falsehoods” he alleged were being disseminated with claims of the Government’s halting of the EU integration process following his announcement on Thursday of a suspension of the accession talks until 2028.