Georgia calls on EU to open dialogue on South Caucasus

The European Union lacks sufficient experience in the South Caucasus and therefore needs dialogue with Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili, Georgian Foreign Minister, said at the Arab Media Summit in the UAE.

“If we are talking about enlargement, and if we are seriously talking about Europe’s security, we must take into account that the South Caucasus is an important part of the map, one that matters both for Europe’s security and for its prosperity,” the minister added.

She also highlighted the need for greater mutual understanding and experience-sharing between Georgia and the EU.

“We have European aspirations, but we do not have the experience of being part of the European family. Europe wants to enlarge, but Europe also does not have experience of being present in the South Caucasus. Therefore, both sides need to learn and share experience. For this, intensive dialogue and joint work are necessary,” the FM stressed.

According to Botchorishvili, Georgia is simultaneously developing partnerships with various regions of the world, contributing to the country’s growing role as well as economic growth in the region and Europe. The minister noted that Georgia’s economy is growing at a rate of around 8%.

By Jeyhun Aghazada