Armenia-Georgia relations will strengthen after the elections: Former Georgian diplomat
“Breakthrough isn’t anticipated in Georgia’s foreign policy,” Irakli Menagarishvili, former Georgian FM, told 168.am, reflecting to the results of parliamentary elections, held in Georgia on October 8.
Pursuant recent data issued by Georgian CEC, 3 political powers have access to the Parliament: Georgian Dream (48.65%), United National Movement (27.12%) and Alliance of Georgia’s Patriots (5%).
According to Menagarishvili, the snapshot, obtained as a result of elections, was predictable. Although, in his words, the authorities attempted to guarantee their positions also through fraud, which basically, didn’t considerably influence on election results as international observation missions reflected in their reports.
“During calculation of votes some issues emerged in certain polling stations—electricity was turned off, unpleasant incidents, brawl were recorded, which in my opinion, even if they affected on the results, then not more than by 5%. I think, however, international organizations behind the closed doors will reproach Georgian authorities, strengthening of this policy of which may prevent the Euro-Atlantic direction of the country,” former Minister stated.
To the question how Georgia’s foreign policy will be reformulated after these elections, Menagarishvili replied, that there won’t be a breakthrough. “I consider, by strengthening its positions, Georgian Dream will continue its work by initially shaped dimension—it’ll proceed with Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, balanced relations with all neighbors, including with Russia. The last component obtains rather contradicting perceptions in the society, however, I think, after these elections that accentuation will be more stressed. Euro-Atlantic direction will definitely be developed, there is nothing preventing this direction in Georgia. Form this, naturally, Armenia-Georgia relations will gain and more strengthen, on account of Armenia’s membership to EEU and Armenia’s adopted external political direction. However, Armenia-Georgia relations will keep their former dynamics, they have repeatedly been far from geopolitical “games,”” Menagarishvili concluded.
By Araks Martirosyan
