Georgian President Highlights Domestic Crisis During Paris Visit
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, December 9, 2024
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili is in Paris for the reopening of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, a high-profile event attended by world leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
While in Paris, President Zourabichvili met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss regional security and Georgia's political turmoil. Zelenskyy expressed strong support for the Georgian people, stating, "I expressed Ukraine's full support and solidarity with the Georgian people, who are fighting for their dignified future. Respecting the will of the Georgian people and preventing Ivanishvili's government from surrendering the country to Putin is essential for the stability and future of the region."
Zelenskyy underscored the broader implications of Georgia's situation, describing it as a strategic concern for Russia. "It is about control of the Black Sea region - a strategic Russian goal that poses a threat to the national security of everyone in the region and across Europe," he said. He assured Zourabichvili that Ukraine would work with international partners to support the Georgian people in their fight for freedom.
Zourabichvili also met with President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Georgia's domestic unrest. In a statement, she said, "I exposed the stolen elections and the extremely alarming repression against the Georgian people. I emphasized the need for a strong United States. The Georgian people have a friend in Donald Trump. God bless the United States of America."
During a briefing at the Government Administration building, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed questions from journalists about the December 7 meeting in Paris between Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Kobakhidze expressed optimism about Trump's upcoming inauguration on January 20, which he believes will bring significant changes globally and regionally. "I think that everything in the world will change significantly from January 20, including our region, which will calm down. Of course, we are waiting for the inauguration of the president in the USA. We have high hopes that from January 20, this region will be significantly calmed down, which should have a positive impact
He also noted that Zourabichvili's term ends on December 29, meaning the U.S. presidential inauguration is not relevant for her. "The Georgian society as a whole is waiting with great optimism for the inauguration of the new president, which Salome Zourabichvili will not be able to attend as her term of office expires on December 29. Accordingly, the inauguration of the American president is not relevant for her at all. I think everything will be fine," he concluded.
