The West faces a crossroads

(CLO) Mr. Armen Martirosyan, who served as Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia and Ambassador of Armenia to the United Nations, sent a letter presenting his views on the Georgia issue to the FT newspaper, responding to the newspaper's article about the recent political upheavals that have attracted the world's attention in Georgia.

Opposition protesters carry Georgian, European Union and Ukrainian flags in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi. Source: X

The letter reads as follows: “ Judging by the tone and content of the editorial “Georgia’s European Dream is Falling” (published in FT View, October 29), the West itself seems to have yet to decide how to proceed with the country.

The first is to punish the Georgian people for making such a political choice. The second is to accept the people’s verdict, even if it is unsatisfactory, and establish a genuine dialogue with the authorities that Georgians have elected. The West needs to communicate its position patiently and respectfully, without dictating or lecturing, pointing out red lines if necessary.

Much depends on how events unfold in Georgia. But the fact that there was no spontaneous action immediately after – in the first three days after the election – is an essential indicator of public sentiment that needs to be taken into account .”

Thousands of people protested outside the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi on Monday after the ruling Georgian Dream party won an election that could determine the country's political direction.

Protesters, some carrying anti-Russian banners and waving Ukrainian and European Union (EU) flags, saw the parliamentary elections as a crucial choice for the country's future.

Georgia's electoral commission said the Georgian Dream party, which came to power in 2012, won nearly 54 percent of the vote in Saturday's election. The four main opposition parties said they would not recognize the results and would boycott parliament.

Georgia, a country of 3.7 million people that borders Russia, was one of the most pro-Western countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The road leading from Tbilisi airport is even named after former US President George W. Bush.

However, since Russia and Ukraine clashed in February 2022, Tbilisi's relations with the West have deteriorated rapidly. Unlike many Western allies, Georgia has refused to impose sanctions on Russia.

The Georgian Dream party has campaigned heavily to keep Georgia out of the war in Ukraine, with campaign signs contrasting intact Georgian cities with devastated Ukrainian cities.

Huy Hoang (according to FT)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/quan-diem-cua-cuu-dai-su-armenia-ve-tinh-hinh-tai-georgia-phuong-tay-doi-mat-voi-nga-ba-duong-post319143.html