Georgian FM rejects EU ‘course change’ call, urges Brussels to adjust stance

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili has said the country had “nothing to change” in its political course, rejecting recent calls from Brussels for Tbilisi to adjust its direction.

Responding to comments by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Botchorishvili said Georgia’s government was democratically elected and is acting in line with the country’s national interests.

“Georgia has nothing to change. The government is elected by the people, it protects the country’s best interests and acts in line with what serves national priorities,” she said.

She argued that if any adjustments were needed, they should come from the EU side, accusing what she described as “Brussels bureaucracy” of maintaining an unfair approach towards Georgia. She also said the EU should explain what exactly it considered incompatible with Georgia’s current policy direction.

Botchorishvili also stressed that Georgia remained open to dialogue with the European Union, including on issues frequently raised by EU officials.

At the same time, she reiterated that Tbilisi’s priorities were focused on maintaining peace, stability and economic development.

Speaking at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) forum in Vienna, Botchorishvili further highlighted Georgia’s security challenges and its experience with unresolved conflicts.

She said the country continued to face the consequences of what she described as Russia’s occupation of two Georgian regions, adding that this experience shaped Georgia’s approach to international security cooperation.

According to the minister, Georgia supported constructive engagement and practical measures to strengthen peace and stability across the OSCE region. She said security required continuous dialogue, trust-building and willingness to listen to substantive arguments.

Botchorishvili also confirmed that Georgia has formally applied to chair the OSCE in 2027, describing the move as evidence of the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.

She added that Georgia aimed to contribute to strengthening the OSCE’s role as a platform for practical solutions to regional security challenges, and expressed readiness to work closely with all participating states.