Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili Visits Austria for High-Level Talks
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, March 28, 2025
Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili visited Austria on March 26, where she met with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu.
During a joint press conference, Austrian Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger strongly condemned violence against peaceful demonstrators and criticized Georgia's stalled EU accession process. She cited setbacks in judicial reform, human rights, and electoral integrity as key concerns.
"A change of course is urgently needed here! Dialogue with the political opposition and civil society is essential - we call on political leaders to overcome divisions and polarisation," Meinl-Reisinger stated. She urged the Georgian authorities to respect freedom of assembly and expression.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry's press release reiterated these concerns, highlighting the EU's support for Georgian civil society despite the suspension of financial aid to the Georgian Dream government. It also emphasized the need to counter Russian destabilization efforts and maintain a rules-based international order.
Meinl-Reisinger further described Georgia as having "shifted into reverse gear" regarding the EU accession process, stating that Austria would not close the door on Georgia but expected greater commitment from Tbilisi toward European integration.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) provided a different perspective on the meeting. According to its statement, Austria reaffirmed its support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Georgian side emphasized the importance of regional stability for sustainable development and reiterated its commitment to EU integration.
"The Georgian side reiterated its commitment to joining the European Union and expressed its readiness to take further steps in this direction, including fulfilling obligations under the Association Agreement," the statement read.
At the press conference, Meinl-Reisinger criticized irregularities in Georgia's October 26 parliamentary elections, citing concerns documented by OSCE/ODIHR. She also expressed strong disapproval of legislation targeting civil society and urged the Georgian government to uphold democratic principles.
In response, Botchorishvili defended the elections, denying allegations of fraud. "There was no evidence of election fraud," she claimed, noting that over 1,200 international observers monitored the vote. She asserted that "the Georgian population made their choice in a free environment" and stressed the need to respect the democratic will of the people.
Botchorishvili also emphasized that Georgia's European integration remains a top priority. "It is Georgia's sovereign choice to be part of the EU, and soon we will have the possibility to engage in an open dialogue on Georgia's membership," she said.
Botchorishvili also held talks with OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu, focusing on security challenges and the situation in Georgia's occupied regions. According to the MFA, Sinirlioglu expressed keen interest in developments in these territories.
"Particular attention was given to the security challenges in the region and the necessary measures to address them," the MFA statement said.
Botchorishvili underscored the role of the Geneva International Discussions and the OSCE's importance in conflict resolution, emphasizing the need for a peaceful settlement based on international legal principles. She reiterated Georgia's commitment to working closely with the OSCE to advance democratic development and human rights.
