President Zourabichvili Vows to Continue EU Outreach, Dismisses Resignation Rumors
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, whose impeachment procedure was launched by the Georgian Dream because of her uncoordinated visits to EU countries, has addressed the nation.
Zourabichvili said she would continue meetings in Europe to support Georgia's accession to the EU and made another anti-Russian statement. "I have a plan to visit the following countries. I hope that during these three months, I will be able to visit the main capitals of Europe, and maybe all of them, to convey your wish, your dream. Everyone knows that this is what Georgia wants, that Georgia will never stand under the feet of Russia; this is what we have to defend together. This will be our joint, constant march until we come to where Georgia belongs," Zourabichvili said.
She is confident that the people of Georgia want to join the EU and named the solution to the issue of uncontrolled entry of Russian citizens into the country as one of the conditions for becoming an EU candidate. "I know what kind of future you want for Georgia, what kind of future the new generation, the youth wants; I know that the solution to all the problems the country is facing today, whether it is corruption or the drain of people from the country, the uncontrolled entry of Russian citizens into the country - all this will not be solved, but will be settled step by step when we join the EU - this is our only prospect." the President of Georgia added.
Zourabichvili said, "I am not going anywhere; I think everyone should forget the dream of my resignation."
According to Zourabichvili, all Georgian institutions should do their best to promote European integration. "I consider this my highest and main obligation. That is why I make visits: I have been to Berlin, Brussels, Paris. I take advantage of my connections, I take advantage of the fact that there is trust in me, but it is first of all trust in you. I am proud that I am doing this today with my own money, although it is the wrong step in the eyes of the state. The president of the country should not travel with his own money to such important meetings, but it does not matter much, I will continue," she said.