Ruling party MP Kirtskhalia: Kallas, Žygimantas, Juknevičienė have never represented Europe for us

Parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia on Wednesday said several European politicians do not represent Europe in the eyes of the ruling party.

Speaking on Rustavi 2 TV, Kirtskhalia referred to Kaja Kallas, Žygimantas Pavilionis and Rasa Juknevičienė, stating that they “have never been Europe” for the Georgian Government and do not represent Europe for many Europeans either.

“For us, Europe is the set of values that we respect and that are compatible with our country’s interests,” Kirtskhalia said.

Asked whether recent European Union decisions regarding Georgia are driven more by assessments of the country’s domestic and foreign policies or by the broader geopolitical situation in the wider region, Kirtskhalia said Georgia’s geographic location is “one of the important factors”.

According to him, Georgia occupies a “very strategically important position” despite lacking major natural resources, which increases international interest in the country and the wider region.

Kirtskhalia also reiterated the ruling party’s position that Georgia should pursue an independent policy guided by national interests and maintain relations with all partners where the country’s interests can be best protected.

He added that, in his view, attempts to draw Georgia into broader regional tensions would continue until the ongoing war in the region comes to an end.