Georgian Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili met German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier. Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili took part in the conference. Niki Chitadze, head of the Center for Security and International Relations, says that Garibashvili’s speeches confirmed the commitment of Georgia to European integration and readiness for dialogue with Russia.
According to Chitadze, the United National Movement and the Olya Chavchavadze Society criticized Garibashvili for expressing loyalty towards Russia. Many Georgian high-ranking officials and MPs still believe that the conflict is with Russia, not Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Petre Mamradze, head of the Institute for Strategic Management, believes that the role of the Munich Conference should not be exaggerated. What matters, in his words, is that European and US partners confirmed the recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity and that the EU and NATO welcomed the efforts of the Georgian people and government to join them.
The expert notes that criticism of Garibashvili is fine. He adds that his political opponents disappointed with his pro-Russian speeches should face criticism too. Mamradze reminds that at least a million Georgians live in Russia and even more want to move there. He says that the West wants Georgia to resolve its differences with Russia.
Concerning Saakashvili, he has backed away from Georgian politics, stating that the ex-president was more concerned about the events in Ukraine.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili met German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier. Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili took part in the conference. Niki Chitadze, head of the Center for Security and International Relations, says that Garibashvili’s speeches confirmed the commitment of Georgia to European integration and readiness for dialogue with Russia.According to Chitadze, the United National Movement and the Olya Chavchavadze Society criticized Garibashvili for expressing loyalty towards Russia. Many Georgian high-ranking officials and MPs still believe that the conflict is with Russia, not Abkhazia and South Ossetia.Petre Mamradze, head of the Institute for Strategic Management, believes that the role of the Munich Conference should not be exaggerated. What matters, in his words, is that European and US partners confirmed the recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity and that the EU and NATO welcomed the efforts of the Georgian people and government to join them.The expert notes that criticism of Garibashvili is fine. He adds that his political opponents disappointed with his pro-Russian speeches should face criticism too. Mamradze reminds that at least a million Georgians live in Russia and even more want to move there. He says that the West wants Georgia to resolve its differences with Russia.Concerning Saakashvili, he has backed away from Georgian politics, stating that the ex-president was more concerned about the events in Ukraine
