Parliament speaker: Georgia’s well-being must come before any membership

Georgia’s territorial integrity and the well-being of its people must take priority over membership in any international organisation or efforts to win favour with foreign partners, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said.

Papuashvili said Georgia had two main national objectives: maintaining the country’s unity and increasing the prosperity of its people. All other objectives, he said, should be considered subordinate to those priorities, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media. 

Papuashvili argued that these principles should guide Georgia’s decisions on foreign policy and relations with other countries. He said any proposed course of action should be assessed according to whether it would improve the welfare of the Georgian population.

Addressing calls to strain relations with Russia, he questioned whether closing the borders and halting trade with Russia would benefit Georgia economically.

“It would not contribute to improving the people’s well-being,” Papuashvili said.

He stressed that Georgia’s priorities should be clear to both its supporters and opponents.

“Let everyone understand this clearly, both friends and foes – neither membership of any organisation nor any attempt to curry favour with anyone is worth jeopardising the territorial integrity and well-being of our nation,” he stated.

By Sabina Mammadli