Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday expressed concern over recent developments affecting the country’s defense sector. On Facebook, Zourabichvili commented on the European Union’s decision to freeze 30 million euros in funding for Georgia’s defense forces, a move that followed the cancellation of military exercises by the US.
Zourabichvili claimed these actions by international partners were in response to the Georgian government’s anti-European and anti-Western rhetoric and policies. She emphasized that the message from these actions was clear – “the choice is yours.”
“This is not a time for celebration, but for serious concern,” Zourabichvili wrote. “The US’s cancellation of exercises was followed by the EU’s decision to freeze 30 million euros intended for our defense forces. This is a direct response to the government’s anti-European and anti-Western rhetoric and actions. Despite all advice and warnings, the government has failed to respond. Even symbolically withdrawing or freezing the one Russian law – which is unnecessary and unsupported – has been ignored. Instead, we continue to hear assertions from the government about joining the European Union or justifying the exercises as beneficial for both countries.”
The president underscored the significance of these messages from Georgia’s closest allies, noting that they reflected the international community’s reaction to the government’s policies. “Although this is a response to the ruling party’s foolish and hostile policies, it is also a warning to the public: our partners are telling us that ‘the choice is yours’ – between a European, secure future and an isolated Georgia aligned with Russia”.
Zourabichvili reiterated that those laws and actions were not in line with European or American support. She addressed those who question why the law was referred to as ‘Russian’: “This is why,” she declared.
