On March 23, Maka Botchorishvili, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, participated in a panel discussion on sovereignty and migration during the first meeting of the Assembly held in Budapest under the framework of "Patriots for Europe." She placed particular emphasis on the protection of national interests and Georgia’s European aspirations.

"I represent a country that, while not yet a member of the European Union, has long sought integration into the European family," Botchorishvili stated. "Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia has regarded European structures—especially the EU—as the most effective guarantor of our sovereignty. This is why we submitted our EU membership application and concluded the Association Agreement in 2014. Georgia shares European values that are intrinsic to our society."

The minister highlighted challenges in the EU accession process, noting that it has become a tool for domestic political games, external pressure, and foreign interference. "This topic, which is crucial for Georgia and for around 80% of Georgians, should not be used in a way that undermines national sovereignty," she emphasized.

Addressing security matters, Botchorishvili stressed the importance of sovereign decision-making to maintain peace, stability, and economic growth. "Georgia’s annual economic growth stands at approximately 9.5%, an impressive figure in the European context. Achieving such results requires safeguarding our sovereignty and ensuring peace in a complex geopolitical environment," she stated.

In conclusion, the minister reiterated the centrality of sovereignty. "Protecting sovereignty must be approached with the utmost seriousness, as it represents the only firm foundation upon which Europe’s future can be built," she added.

The panel included participation from Kinga Gál, Vice-President of the Fidesz Party and Member of the European Parliament; Hungary’s Minister for European Affairs János Bóka; Polish MEP Anna Fotyga Brilka; Belgian MEP Tom Vandendriessche; Czech MEP Ondřej Knotek; Vice-Governor of the Austrian Regional Parliament Udo Landbauer; and Zoltán Kovács, the Spokesperson of the Hungarian Government.