Georgia’s president, Salome Zurabishvili, this Friday criticized the actions of her country’s government, specifically the way Garibashvili’s foreign policy separates Georgia from the rest of Europe.
Salome Zurabishvili chides the country’s government for distancing itself from Europe and its policy of concessions to Russia, in a speech at Freedom Square in Tbilisi.
“Georgia’s great hope is its society, which shows its solidarity with Ukraine and its commitment to the European option, but the government does not respect its own people,” Zurabishvili said in the same speech, given on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the country’s independence. country and criticized the prime minister, Irakli Garibashvili, who was sitting a few feet away.
The head of state denounced the foreign policy of the Garibashvili executive, stating that it removes the country from Europe and provokes its isolation.
“We criticize and fight against our friends, against our partners, against countries who have been reaching out to us for 30 years, who have helped us build the state. On the other hand, we warmly welcome those who occupy 20% of our territory … and we’ll take care of theirs,” he said, referring to the Russians.
According to reports from international agencies, the president’s words were met with murmurs and the word “traitor” was even heard in the official gallery, packed with government officials and parliamentarians.
Last week, Salome Zurabishvili denounced the resumption of Georgian flights with Russia as a “provocation” by Moscow and described the government’s statements about the economic benefits of the measure as “insulting”.
“Our society will not be sold for 200 or 300 million. Our society will not give up Europe or the future of our children,” he stressed.
The president added that the government’s concessions will not result in Russia returning to Georgia the occupied territories, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Moscow recognizes as independent states.
Speaking afterwards in response to Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated that the executive led by his party, in power since 2012, has achieved “impressive achievements” on the path of European integration.
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Source: DN
