“Georgia’s rightful place is in the EU. It is a principal choice, and it is up to Georgian people to decide what kind of future they will choose. We are with you! said Margus Tsahkna, Estonian Foreign Minister.
According to the Estonian FM, the EU foreign ministers did not arrive to give lectures to the Georgian people because they knew their future.
“We didn’t come here to give lectures of what Georgian people must do or not. Because in democracies for that there are elections taking place. And I’m sure that Georgian people, they know what is their future. We came here as friends, true friends, and not to advocate, but just saying facts out. We know exactly that living in the neighboring of Russia is a very dangerous place. And unfortunately, there is no choices, whether you be in the middle.
Russia has put all the neighboring countries in the position that we must make the choice whether to be towards freedom, or on Russia or together with Russia. So that’s the choice. I’m here today because Estonia cares a lot about Georgia historically, and as well today. And we care about the Georgian people. We are somehow the best friends of Georgians historically. And you know, that. We have supported Georgian reforms for decades. And we have shared the view with Georgia that the best guarantee for a democratic and prosperous Georgia is membership of the European Union. This law violates human rights and civic freedoms. And everything that the EU stands for. This law is a symbol. The symbol of the choice between Russia or European union. This law is taking Georgia further than away from the European union path. This is a U-turn to which the European Union will certainly react.
EU integration is a merit-based process. When you reform, you get benefits such as visa freedom or, above all, possibility to become an EU member. When Georgia backtracks, you will lose those things. And in this case of human rights violations, repressions, the EU will normally introduce sanctions. But we are sure and we share the Georgian people will that Georgia’s rightful place is in the EU. It is a principal choice, and it is up to Georgian people to decide what kind of future they will choose. We are with you,” he said.
