Javier Colomina on Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Aspirations, Reforms, and Recent Anti-Western Rhetoric
According to Javier Colomina, the Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia of the NATO Secretary General, providing Georgia with a feeling of possibility for Euro-Atlantic ambitions is one of the goals of his visit to Georgia. "I traveled to Georgia for three reasons. First, I wanted to reiterate my April support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We could adequately demonstrate our support for George's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its goals in the Atlantic and the Bucharest decisions, in Madrid, where Prime Minister Garibashvili was present, and we endorsed the strategic concept. We believed that President Putin's remarks regarding referendums and the partial mobilization made it high time to return," he said.
"The second goal is to create a sense of possibility for your Euro-Atlantic objectives now, especially in light of the decisions made by the European Union and the 12 recommendations that were accepted in July. The 12 suggestions are similar to those 10 suggestions NATO gave your authorities through the Annual National Program a year ago. With those recommendations, we think a very clear route was indicated. We are attempting to work with you along that route so that Georgia and the authorities may arrive there whenever they are prepared. The third goal, closely related to the second, was to express to the authorities our dissatisfaction with how the changes were being implemented. It was crucial to communicate to your President, Prime Minister, and other ministers that the pace of reform implementation is not acceptable. I accomplished this. Concerns exist over Georgia's capacity to advance along the Euro-Atlantic route," Colomina stated.
The Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia of the NATO Secretary General thinks the government should take the initiative to develop bridges with the opposition and that the opposition should contribute to the implementation of the reforms. "I had promised that the various authorities would implement the changes, especially from the Parliament's President. He has overseen planning the formation of several working groups and the procedure for carrying out the 12 recommendations. He provided me with guarantees and detailed explanations of how they intended to carry out the entire procedure. The opposition's engagement presents a challenge. The authorities claim to be keeping the door open for the opposition. I'm going to meet with the opposition tomorrow. I will make sure to say that loud and clear. I believe it was a good idea to let them know that it is up to them to do their share in implementing the changes. I also told the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the House that the administration should strive to mend fences with the opposition on its initiative. The opposition does, however, have a duty," Javier Colomina stated.
"The anti-Western vitriol that we have heard throughout the nation is worrying. It bothers us," the Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia for the NATO Secretary General said. He said, "At the same time, we are delighted to see that 70% of the population continues to support NATO and 75% continues to favor the European Union." During discussions with Georgian officials, Javier Colomina brought up the case of four former Georgian Dream MPs. "The criticism they have been leveling on the ambassadors of the US and EU is wholly ineffective. The Premier distanced himself from it," he continued.
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