Within the framework of the visit to Georgia, the heads of the foreign ministries of four countries met with President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, as well as the Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, the opposition and representatives of the non-governmental sector.
Following the meetings, they made announcements at the press conference.
The only war party is in Moscow, it is the party that attacked Georgia in 2008, – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said at the press conference in Tbilisi.
He claimed that those who value freedom have an obligation to fight and win.
“The only war party is in Moscow. This is the party that attacked Georgia in 2008, this is the party that attacked Ukraine in 2014, and is currently waging a war against Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is our obligation to those who value freedom to fight this party and win this war,” said Landsbergis.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also commented on the narrative about the “global war party”, calling it a “false” direction.
“It’s not a joke, because it’s a serious thing and it’s the Kremlin’s narrative. The Kremlin’s narrative and even debating it here is something we don’t want to do, because it’s a false narrative, a false and wrong direction.
There is a great desire to join the European Union, there is a great desire to share the same values, and there is no place for Kremlin narratives in this world,” said Tsakhkna.
Visa liberalization is not a guaranteed thing, – Tsahkna noted at a press conference.
As he told the media, if things go bad, the EU can impose sanctions.
In addition, according to the minister, as instead of 9 steps, the Georgian government adopts the mentioned law, this is an example of a completely opposite direction, not towards the European Union, but in the direction of another city.
“The main message is that the government of Georgia cannot adequately appreciate what we have already decided on Georgia’s path to the European Union. I am talking about visa liberalization and many other aspects.
Of course, if things go from bad to worse, my position was clear – the EU can introduce sanctions. Of course, the EU needs a consensus to introduce common sanctions, but we also have member states.
So, my message was very clear – not about any specific sanctions, but visa liberalization is not a guaranteed thing, because we made an agreement and the Georgian government promised us many things, as well as these 9 steps. Instead of these steps, the Government of Georgia adopts this law. This is an example of the complete opposite direction. Not towards the EU, but, as my colleague said, towards another city.
And this is not what the Georgian people want. So, my message was very clear – these things are not guaranteed and the responsibility lies with the Georgian government, not the Georgian people”, said Tsahkna.
“The Georgian government is not fulfilling its promises to the European Union, and if the Georgian government follows the steps it has already planned, there will be consequences,” he added.
He claimed that the law “On transparency of foreign influence” is a symbol of the path, and this path is not towards the EU, but away from it.
Our message was very, very clear: the Georgian people have decided to move towards the EU, they really share and follow these values, but there are only two choices – towards the EU or Russian influence. There are no other options.
So, we have made it very clear that the EU has already made many decisions in many areas – visa liberalization, candidate status, 9 steps of recommendations that the Georgian government should follow, and the Georgian government has made such promises.
But in reality, the government of Georgia does not fulfill these promises, and if the government of Georgia follows the steps it has already planned, there will be consequences. This law we are talking about is like a symbol, it is a symbol of the path, this path is not towards the European Union, it is a path away from the European Union.
And it should be clear that the message that brings us back to the European Union is very direct – that this is not the right direction and this responsibility lies with the Georgian government, not the Georgian people”, Tsahkna said.
“With this law, the path to the European Union is not only more difficult, but there is no path at all, – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis commented.
“We came here with a very clear message that we support people. 86% of the population of Georgia, who want to be a part of the European Union, should understand that the European Union is with them. That was one message.
The second message is to the government: we cannot be deceived that the law, which is still being passed, it has passed the third reading and now awaits the veto of the president – we cannot be deceived that this law has anything to do with transparency, even though it is presented in such a form.
It is clear to the colleagues in our countries why so many representatives of civil society call it the “Russian law”, and today we know for sure that this law is against civil institutions, non-governmental organizations that oppose government policies. This law can be used to silence these institutions and goes against the most basic, fundamental principles of democracy on which the European Union stands.
I can’t believe that countries like ours – Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia – could have joined the European Union if we had such laws, which are currently being considered in Georgia. So our message is very clear: the path to the EU is not just more difficult with this law, there is no path, and it is painful for me to say these words, but they have to be said.
I hope the government got the message. They still have a chance to simply drop this law, as they did in 2023, after a presidential veto. Then they sat together with the institutions of the European Union, together with our representatives, and we are ready to work to advance Georgia on the Euro-Atlantic path”, said Landsbergis.
