Georgia reaffirms foreign policy 'continuity' amid strained ties with the West

Current security challenges and ongoing geopolitical shifts were the focus of the annual Georgia Ambassadors' Conference taking place from 22 - 25 December in Tbilisi.

In attendance were President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili and several Georgian diplomats. 

The country's leadership took advantage of the event to project stability and predictability in its foreign policy.

Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, while speaking at the start of the event said “Today, more than ever, the effective implementation of a consistent, pragmatic and national interest-driven foreign policy is essential for safeguarding peace in our country”.

This comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained relations with the European Union, the latest being a damning review of the visa waiver mechanism which allows Georgian citizens enjoy visa free travel in and around EU member states.

Officials stressed that Georgia’s foreign policy course is fixed and “without alternative", at a time when Brussels has voiced concerns that the South Caucasus nation is drifting away from democratic standards and shared European values.

Government representatives, however, argue that restraint and consistency are necessary to protect national interests in an increasingly polarised international environment.

At the conference, Georgia’s role as a transit and trade hub featured prominently, highlighting the Middle Corridor as a strategic opportunity to connect Asia and Europe, positioning economic geography as the country’s primary foreign policy asset.

"Georgia’s role in the regional transit and logistics sector is becoming more firmly established and investor interest in our country is increasing” Botchorishvili said in her speech.

This focus on connectivity, while broadly welcomed by international partners, contrasts with the relative lack of emphasis on political integration with Western institutions.

Analysts note that economic pragmatism increasingly defines Georgia’s external messaging, even as political dialogue with the EU faces visible strain.

• Georgia faces end to visa-free travel arrangement with EU

Georgia’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to sovereignty and the policy of non-recognition of its occupied territories. Diplomats were portrayed as key actors in countering external pressure and disinformation.

Participants also discussed cases brought against the Russian Federation before international courts, as well as issues related to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity.

Internal opposition parties and segments of civil society argue that the government’s cautious foreign policy risks aligning too closely with Russian interests, an accusation the authorities firmly reject citing that avoiding confrontation does not equal geopolitical realignment.

The conference also reflected a broader global shift. With the international system becoming increasingly multipolar, Georgian leaders argued that national interest — rather than bloc politics — must guide decision-making.

Georgia stands at a delicate crossroads. The decision to maintain its current foreign policy course may provide short-term stability, but it also risks widening the gap with Western partners if concerns over democracy and alignment remain unresolved.

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