Irakli Kobakhidze: We reiterate that Georgia will not join the sanctions imposed on Russia, we call on the National Movement to speak openly if they support the imposition of sanctions
Our position on the imposition of sanctions is unchanged. We reiterate that Georgia will not join the sanctions imposed on Russia, said Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the Georgian Dream.
According to him, no one can change this position of the ruling party through any provocations, covert campaigns or foreign lobbyists.
Kobakhidze blamed the National Movement for the provocations and said that although the "war party" did not dare to speak openly about imposing sanctions and involving Georgia in the military conflict, "all their provocations are aimed at this." Moreover, according to Kobakhidze, in the last few days, their foreign lobbyists have been actively involved in the provocative campaign of the National Movement in the direction of sanctions. At the briefing, the chairman of the Georgian Dream addressed the United National Movement and once again called on them to "speak openly if they support the imposition of sanctions, instead of provocations and hiring foreign lobbyists."
"First of all, we once again express our solidarity with the Ukrainian state and people of Ukraine, who are fighting against the Russian military aggression. We want to reaffirm our position on sanctions.
As it is known, the "war party" in the form of the National Movement does not dare to speak openly about the imposition of sanctions and the desire to involve Georgia in the military conflict. However, all their provocations are aimed at this. Their obvious goal is for the Government to make extremely harmful decisions for the Georgian state and people, impose economic sanctions and involve the country in the war, which will have dire consequences for Georgia and its people.
It should be noted that in the last few days, their foreign lobbyists have been actively involved in the provocative campaign of the National Movement in the direction of sanctions. These days, National Movement-owned television stations have covered several statements by such lobbyists calling on the Georgian Government to join sanctions. In this regard, we would like to remind you that after the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, no country in the world has imposed sanctions on Russia, despite the fact that Russia occupied 20 percent of Georgia, killed hundreds of military and civilians, and 30 thousand citizens became IDPs in our country. Russia bombed Georgian cities, completely destroyed hundreds of Georgian villages, Georgian churches and other cultural heritage sites," Kobakhidze said.
According to him, the Georgian Government did not impose sanctions on Russia even after the 2008 war.
"Moreover, the Georgian Government, during the rule of the National Movement, introduced a visa-free regime for Russian citizens in 2010 partially and in 2012 fully. After 2012, under our Government, trade and economic relations expanded with Russia. We repeat, no one has made any critical remarks about any of these decisions of the previous or current Government.
It was clear to everyone that the steps taken by the Government only served the interests of our own country and population, including hundreds of thousands of our citizens living in Russia and the occupied territories. Given our special attitude towards the Ukrainian people, naturally, our solidarity with Ukraine is special. However, it is unclear how we can be asked to impose sanctions due to the ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine, when the Georgian Government has not done so even after the occupation of its own country," said Kobakhidze.
