Georgian PM rejects Baltic states' provocations, advocating steadfast relations

Georgia has vowed to uphold its "unilateral friendship" with Estonia and Lithuania, despite provocations from the two Baltic states.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the authorities of both countries of deliberately trying to provoke Georgia, but asserted that the government had resisted the pressure, opting instead to maintain a cordial, albeit one-sided, relationship, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Tensions between Georgia and the Baltic states have been escalating in recent months, especially following the imposition of sanctions by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on Georgian officials. The sanctions followed a series of controversial statements by Georgian leaders, including Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, who had criticized the Baltic states' positions.

In a statement made over the weekend, Kobakhidze condemned what he called an "external attempt to provoke" Georgia. Despite the sanctions, which included measures against key Georgian figures, the Georgian government has refrained from retaliating. Kobakhidze emphasized that Georgia’s response would not be to escalate tensions but to remain steadfast in its friendly relations with Estonia and Lithuania, drawing on historical bonds between the peoples.

Earlier, Georgia’s Ambassador to Estonia, Zurab Khamashuridze, was summoned by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address allegations of violence against Georgian citizens, opposition leaders, and journalists, as well as accusations directed at the Georgian government. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna had labelled Georgian government statements as "unacceptable" and "full of lies," but Kobakhidze reaffirmed that Georgia’s stance would not change.

The EU, which has been closely monitoring the situation, recently discussed the possibility of imposing further sanctions on Georgian officials. However, Hungary and Slovakia blocked the proposal, and there was no agreement on further action. The EU is also contemplating the suspension of the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomatic passport holders, following the adoption of controversial domestic laws in Georgia, including the “foreign agent” law.

Georgia's European integration efforts have been notably stalled since the country received EU candidate status in December 2023, one year after Ukraine and Moldova. Despite this setback, Kobakhidze has remained critical of the West, describing discussions about visa restrictions as "cheap blackmail."

While negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova have progressed, Georgia's EU accession process remains suspended, with reforms on issues such as political polarization, deoligarchization, and electoral integrity remaining crucial for further advancement.

By Aghakazim Guliyev