Georgian PM criticises Moldovan officials’ remarks on sovereignty

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday criticised comments made by a Moldovan deputy prime minister regarding sovereignty, arguing that it is inconceivable for senior government officials to speak about relinquishing a country's sovereign authority.

Responding to a journalist’s question, Kobakhidze said sovereignty should be the foremost concern of any national government and suggested that the situation in Moldova appeared markedly different from Georgia’s approach.

“It is unimaginable when one of the highest-ranking officials in a country makes a statement about surrendering sovereignty. If there is one thing that a government must protect above all else, it is sovereignty. However, as we can see, the situation in Moldova is different,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister stated he found it difficult even to comprehend such remarks, let alone justify them and claimed that some Moldovan officials appeared willing to compromise their country’s sovereignty.

According to Kobakhidze, this stance is welcomed by certain external forces which, he argued, seek to undermine the sovereignty of individual states.

He contrasted Moldova’s position with that of the Georgian Government, saying Tbilisi’s policies are focused on strengthening and safeguarding national sovereignty.

“We have a completely opposite position, one that is aimed at reinforcing and protecting sovereignty,” he said.

Kobakhidze further argued that it was therefore unsurprising that groups he believes are opposed to Georgia and the Georgian people frequently praise the Moldovan government.

“From this perspective, it is logical that certain forces that oppose our country and our people consistently praise Moldova’s authorities,” he added.

The Prime Minister’s comments came in response to recent remarks by Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister, Eugen Osmochescu, who said that Moldova could consider reunification with neighbouring Romania as a "Plan B" if the country’s path to European Union membership were to stall or become blocked after 2028.