PM: we respect the sovereignty of all countries, but we love our country the most

We respect the sovereignty of all countries, but we love our country the most,” prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday at the ambassadors’ conference in Tbilisi.

In his speech, the official talked about the war in Ukraine, the implementation of 12-point  conditions of the European Union for the country’s membership candidate status, the Black Sea electric cable and the “ double-digit” economic growth of Georgia.

He stressed “while there is a recession and unpredictable environment all over the world, small but strong Georgia maintains peace, stability and double-digit economic growth”.

“Russia’s unjustified military aggression in Ukraine has turned the entire world order upside down. While the embassies of other countries were leaving Kyiv, our embassy and ambassador in Ukraine fulfilled their duties until the last minute. It is our stated wish that this war ends as soon as possible, as it threatens not only Ukraine,  but the entire European security architecture, our region, and this war and its consequences will affect not only our country, but the entire world”, he said. 

Garibashvili stressed Georgia had expressed support forUkraine in all formats, joined more than 400 resolutions and statements.

“Frankly speaking, it is not pleasant for us to hear the statements that we hear from the representatives of the Ukrainian government. However, since the country is at war, we do not want to make too many statements on the topic. Our main task is to protect our own national interests. Our obligation is to protect the interests of our country first”, he said. 

The PM also assessed the granting of a European perspective to Georgia in June as a success, however, he noted that everyone expected that the country would receive the status of a candidate.

“Unfortunately, this political decision was not made. I do not want to say anything derogatory about our colleague states, although we are two, three times ahead of Ukraine and Moldova and we were in terms of reforms,” said Garibashvili.

He stressed Ukraine was granted candidate status because it is at war, and Moldova is “in a state equal to war”. 

The head of the government claimed the Black Sea energy cable project, which will provide green energy to Europe via Georgia, belonged to his government.