Salome Zurabishvili the president of the Republic of Georgia addressed the media person recently. She held a long discussion with journalists from seven local media outlets at her residence the Orbeliani Palace.
During the interview with media personnel she responded to many questions. Some of the questions answeredn by her included domestic and international issues, expected Russian interference in the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate, the pardon of former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgian diaspora participation in the elections, Georgia-China relations, etc.
Speaking on the expected Russian interference in the upcoming election President said that “Russia may provide funding of some groups, the empowerment of marginal factions in an attempt to destabilize and exacerbate existing political polarization in Georgian. However Georgia should instead focus on its interests”.
President Assereted asserted that “there cannot be a pro-Russian government in Georgia as she argued the Georgian people would never allow a pro-Russian force to rule the country as this would make the country poorer”.
On relation with China she added “Normal economic relations with China are acceptable but she questioned the need for a strategic partnership”.She also questioned the appreciation of China’s one-party system expressed in the document, when Georgia is committed to the democratic model of governance as well.
President Zurabishvili acknowledged China’s role in world politics, stating it is “understandable” to have relations with China. However she added that Georgia should do so in a manner that does not “spark uncertainty” with its “main” partners of region and world.
President Zurabishvili further stated that the pardon is her discretionary power and is not going to be open for discussion.
She appreciated the role of diasporas in Georgian elections. The President emphasized the significance of the participation of the Georgian diaspora in the elections for a better choice of president in the country. She said that in the upcoming elections may bring a drastic change. She said that everyone in the diaspora should become part of the election”.
