(CLO) Armen Martirosyan, former Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister and Armenian Ambassador to the United Nations, sent a letter to the Financial Times outlining his views on Georgia, responding to the newspaper's article about the recent political upheavals in Georgia that have attracted worldwide attention.
Opposition protesters carried 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 crumbling European dream’ (published in FT View, October 29), the West itself seems undecided on how to proceed with this country.”
First, the people of Georgia must be punished for making such a political choice. Second, the people's verdict must be accepted, even if it is unsatisfactory, and a substantive dialogue must be established with the authorities that Georgians elected. The West needs to communicate its position patiently and respectfully, without commanding or lecturing, drawing red lines if necessary.
Much depends on how events unfold in Georgia. However, the fact that no spontaneous action occurred immediately afterward—in the first three days following the election—is a crucial indicator of public sentiment that needs to be taken into account .”
On Monday, thousands of people protested outside the Georgian Parliament building in Tbilisi, after the ruling Georgian Dream Party won an election that will be crucial to the country's political direction.
The protesters, some carrying anti-Russian banners and waving Ukrainian and European Union (EU) flags, viewed the parliamentary elections as a crucial choice for the country's future.
The Georgia election commission said the Georgia Dream Party, which came to power in 2012, won nearly 54% of the vote in Saturday's election. Four major opposition parties have declared they do not recognize the results and will boycott Congress.
Georgia, a country with 3.7 million inhabitants and bordering Russia, was once one of the most pro-Western nations 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 the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022, Tbilisi's relationship with the West has deteriorated rapidly. Unlike many Western allies, Georgia has refused to impose sanctions on Russia.
The Georgia Dream Party campaigned vigorously 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
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