Georgia prioritises territorial integrity recognition in Venezuela, Parliamentary Deputy Speaker

Georgia’s First Vice Speaker of Parliament, Gia Volski, has said that Tbilisi’s primary objective is to ensure recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity regardless of the political configuration of any future government in Venezuela.

Speaking to journalists on Monday,  Volski said such recognition would represent another success for Georgia’s long-standing non-recognition policy, which seeks international rejection of the independence of Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinali (South Ossetia).

“Our interest and main task is that, whatever government is formed in Venezuela, Georgia’s territorial integrity is recognised,” he said. “This would be another success of the non-recognition policy, which is being implemented quite intensively worldwide.”

Volski said statements made by Georgia’s Foreign Ministry and government on the issue were appropriate and reflected the country’s available diplomatic resources. He added that strong public rhetoric would be ineffective and could be misinterpreted by what he described as “destructive forces” within Georgia.

He also argued that the government’s cautious approach was justified amid what he described as major global developments shaping the future international order. “The policy pursued by the government, in a world facing enormous challenges, is optimal and aimed at safeguarding Georgia,” he said.

In separate remarks, Volski criticised the European Union’s policy towards Georgia, claiming it was driven by an interest in redirecting Russian aggression towards the South Caucasus, particularly Georgia.

He said Brussels was applying double standards and that this made near-term normalisation of relations difficult. “This does not mean we should deviate from our course,” Volski added, stating that Georgia’s progress continued to be reflected in regular assessments published by the Council of Europe.