Georgia and Ukraine share a common danger which consists in Russia's plans to create "a transformed USSR," i.e. the Eurasian Union, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said in an interview with the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror Weekly) newspaper (ZN.UA).
“When Russia announces plans to form the Eurasian Union, everyone is perfectly aware that they are talking about a transformed Soviet Union, and to be more precise, about political and military aspects of this broken empire,” the minister said. “This is why for Georgia, a strong, stable and prospering Ukraine is a vital necessity,” he said.
In planning my visit to Kyiv, I chose not to follow the example of EU officials, many of whom have been ignoring the Ukrainian leadership in recent months, Vashadze said.
“I did not hesitate at all when I was going to travel (. . .). Georgia is EU-oriented. Normally, our foreign-policy course coincides with those of the European Union and the United States. But there are differences. And our partners are well aware of them,” the Georgian minister said.
These differences manifest in the policy on Ukraine too, he said. “First of all, Georgia has its national interests. Secondly, we have a strategic union with Ukraine. Thirdly, a common history. Fourthly, Georgia and Ukraine face a common danger to our sovereignty, our independence,” the Georgian foreign minister said.
Kyiv has moved much farther than Tbilisi on the path towards European integration, the minister said.
“First of all, I meant Ukraine’s achievements in the negotiating process with the European Union. You have your Association Agreement with the EU ready for signing. Everything has been agreed upon free trade regulations. Ukraine has already been given a roadmap on visa-free travel,” the Georgian minister said.
“At the same time, the Georgian text of the Association Agreement with the EU is virtually ready. We would like it to stipulate the membership prospect, but it is not there yet. We are only starting talks on free trade. And we shall be given the roadmap on visa-free travel around September-October. We are planning to complete all talks late next year,” he said.
Georgia and Ukraine continue to cooperate in all areas, and the level of the bilateral relationship is “high as never before,” he said.
“The Ukrainian-Georgian relations are developing. There are times when loud joint political declarations are made. And sometimes active cooperation is taking place without loud statements. But that does not change the essence of our relationship. Ukraine needs Georgia, and Georgia needs Ukraine,” the Georgian foreign minister said.
