TBILISI, April 18 – A warning from Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova prompted Tbilisi to push back, asserting the country’s independence, while opposition figures claimed it proves the need to seek allies.
As reported by Interpressnews, Zakharova said Georgia’s accession to the European Union, and any move to join sanctions against Russia, would deal a “heavy blow” to the country’s tourism industry and cost it preferential trade ties with Russia and other CIS countries. She also said Moscow would have to place Georgia on its list of “unfriendly countries” if Tbilisi joined the EU.
Trade restrictions would hurt one of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s most significant achievements, when it succeeded in lifting a Russian trade embargo in 2013, sparking a boom in sectors like wine. Later, an influx of Russian investors has caused a tourism boom in the coastal resort city Batumi.
Responding to Zakharova’s warning, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the Georgian authorities act in the interests of the Georgian people and do not look at who says what. He said Georgia’s government has delivered a long period of peace and strong economic growth by refusing to follow outside pressure and by listening only to the interests of its own people. He also questioned the practical meaning of Zakharova’s trade argument, noting that Russia itself trades actively with the European Union.
Other GD figures used a tougher tone. MP Aluda Ghudushauri said statements by Zakharova or any other representative of a country occupying Georgian territory could never be carried through. First Deputy Speaker Gia Volski said Georgia’s sovereign right is to decide which unions it wants to join, and argued that neither Zakharova nor anyone else can determine what the regional picture will look like by 2030.
At the same time, senior ruling party figures also repeated a familiar red line. Levan Makhashvili, who chairs parliament’s European Integration Committee, said Georgia is interested in constructive relations with Russia only if that process leads toward restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity and reversal of Russia’s recognition of the occupied regions. David Matikashvili and Archil Gorduladze voiced similar positions, saying political relations cannot fully move forward while the occupation remains in place.
The opposition read Zakharova’s statement very differently. Giorgi Sharashidze of For Georgia called it proof of how vulnerable Georgia becomes when left alone without allies and partners. Tina Bokuchava of the United National Movement said the statement reflected Russia’s broader vision of stripping Georgia of any real chance of joining the EU. Grigol Gegelia of Lelo-Strong Georgia said any talk of relations with Russia before de-occupation amounts to open capitulation and betrayal. Analyst Lela Jejelava accused the government of smiling shyly at Zakharova’s threats instead of practicing real diplomacy.
