Georgian FM: regrettable that EU’s top diplomat refuses to cooperate with democratically elected Gov’t

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili has criticised EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas over her remarks about relations with Georgia, calling it regrettable that the bloc’s top diplomat had openly stated she did not intend to cooperate with the Georgian government while expressing support for the Georgian people.

"It is regrettable when the European Union’s top diplomat openly declares that she does not intend to cooperate with the Georgian government, which was elected based on the democratic will of the Georgian people, while at the same time speaking about supporting those same people," Botchorishvili said on Monday.

The foreign minister said genuine partnership should be based on dialogue rather than distancing from relations.

"Georgia remains committed to cooperation with the European Union based on respect and mutual understanding, in accordance with the interests of our citizens and for our common European future," she said.

Botchorishvili added that the Georgian authorities could not remain silent when what she described as the democratic choice of the Georgian people was disregarded.

"Democracy means respecting the decision of voters - not only when it is politically convenient," she said.

Before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas said the bloc faced "certain difficulties" regarding Georgia, adding - "we actually do not have contact with the government. We do not want to support the government; we want to support the Georgian people."