Zurabishvili Criticizes Russian Bases in Abkhazia
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, in a meeting held for local and international press members in the capital Tbilisi, harshly criticized Russia’s decision to establish a new permanent Russian navy base on the Black Sea coast in Abkhazia, which declared unilateral independence from Georgia. Noting that the Russians were accelerating field work for this port, Zurabishvili said, “The first works for the Ochamchire Base are being carried out. This poses a serious problem, because it poses a great threat not only to Georgia, but also to the security of the entire Black Sea region.”
President Zurabishvili accused Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and his government of not pursuing an effective policy towards the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, arguing that the people living in these two regions should be granted Georgian citizenship. He also stressed that the people living in these regions are increasingly interested in Georgia and the opportunities it offers.
Evaluations on Azerbaijan-Armenia Relations
When asked by an AA correspondent about the effects of France’s continued supply of weapons to Armenia on the establishment of lasting peace in the South Caucasus, which includes Georgia, and the process of signing a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Zurabishvili stated that he did not want to make a direct assessment and said, “I do not want to comment on another country’s policy.”
Stating that the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not ended yet, Zurabishvili said, “The end of this conflict is extremely important for Georgia.” Stating that Georgia could make a great contribution to the negotiations to be held between the two countries, the President said, “We can provide a platform and a place where they can meet.”
Comments on Relations with the US and the EU
Zurabishvili also touched on the problems in his country’s relations with the United States and the European Union (EU) following the approval of the law on “transparency of foreign influence” introduced by the Georgian government. Criticizing the law, the President argued that the current government should not win the general elections to be held on October 26 and that the incoming government should restructure its relations with the West.
Zurabishvili expressed his belief that if the opposition is successful in the elections, a technocratic government will be formed and the country will take important steps in terms of democracy and EU integration.
Evaluating developments such as the US administration’s suspension of $95 million in aid to Georgia due to the “foreign influence law” that has caused controversy in the country, the cancellation of the US-Georgia joint military exercise, and the suspension of Georgia’s EU accession process , Zurabishvili stated that these decisions were definitely not a surprise.
Recalling that the US is a country that supports Georgia in many areas, the President said that Washington responded in this way to the “wrong policies of the Tbilisi government.” He noted that he understood the US’s reaction to the Georgian government, but that the restrictions on aid to the Georgian army were incomprehensible to him.
Zurabishvili took a clear stance on this issue, saying, “There are many aspects of this government that can and should be punished, but the Georgian army, which is the basis of our state and defense, can never be punished.”
