SAAKASHVILI CRITICIZES IVANISHVILI FOR "ARMENIZATION" OF THE FOREIGN POLICY
Gita Elibekyan
"Radiolur"
14:59 05.02.2013
Tbilisi
The issue of the possible change of Georgia's political course is
widely discussed in the country today. From the very first day of its
activity, the new government headed by Bidzina Ivanishvili has been
declaring about the willingness to normalize relations with Russia,
at the same time maintaining good relations with the West. President
Mikhail Saakashvili and his supporters criticize the new government
for deviating from the European path of development and "Armenization"
of the foreign policy.
A few days ago President Saakashvili came forth with a proposal
to incorporate the Georgian political course in the country's
Constitution.
"After coming to power, the government has made a number of significant
statements. The statement of "Armenization" of the country's foreign
policy, particularly the one saying that we should keep an equal
distance with NATO and Russia, was one of the main ones.
It has not been the course of the Georgian foreign policy before,"
Saakashvili said.
Bidzina Ivanishvili was criticized for the "Armenization" of the
foreign policy after the statements he made in Yerevan. He declared
in Yerevan that Armenia is a good example for Georgia of how to keep
good relations with both Russia and NATO.
"The political priorities of Armenia and Georgia are different. Maybe
Armenia has build those priorities very correctly, but taking an
example from Armenia would mean an abrupt change of the foreign
policy course," political analyst Gia Nodia says. He assesses these
statements either as a confession or a result of lack of experience.
According to him, Ivanishvili's statements on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway also stem from lack of experience. The Prime Minister had
questioned the expediency of that railway bypassing Armenia.
Actually it's hard to say what Saakashvili wants today, Nodia says.
"It's clear that he has vague ideas of what NATO and European Union
are, how they work, and what's the values system in the West," the
political analyst said.
Gita Elibekyan
"Radiolur"
14:59 05.02.2013
Tbilisi
The issue of the possible change of Georgia's political course is
widely discussed in the country today. From the very first day of its
activity, the new government headed by Bidzina Ivanishvili has been
declaring about the willingness to normalize relations with Russia,
at the same time maintaining good relations with the West. President
Mikhail Saakashvili and his supporters criticize the new government
for deviating from the European path of development and "Armenization"
of the foreign policy.
A few days ago President Saakashvili came forth with a proposal
to incorporate the Georgian political course in the country's
Constitution.
"After coming to power, the government has made a number of significant
statements. The statement of "Armenization" of the country's foreign
policy, particularly the one saying that we should keep an equal
distance with NATO and Russia, was one of the main ones.
It has not been the course of the Georgian foreign policy before,"
Saakashvili said.
Bidzina Ivanishvili was criticized for the "Armenization" of the
foreign policy after the statements he made in Yerevan. He declared
in Yerevan that Armenia is a good example for Georgia of how to keep
good relations with both Russia and NATO.
"The political priorities of Armenia and Georgia are different. Maybe
Armenia has build those priorities very correctly, but taking an
example from Armenia would mean an abrupt change of the foreign
policy course," political analyst Gia Nodia says. He assesses these
statements either as a confession or a result of lack of experience.
According to him, Ivanishvili's statements on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway also stem from lack of experience. The Prime Minister had
questioned the expediency of that railway bypassing Armenia.
Actually it's hard to say what Saakashvili wants today, Nodia says.
"It's clear that he has vague ideas of what NATO and European Union
are, how they work, and what's the values system in the West," the
political analyst said.