president salame zish of Georgia is here with me at the Munich security conference as we're
recording this there will also be a debate here about EU enlargement um of the prospects of a
country like Georgia that is so strategically important bordering Russia joining the EU what
is your key concern that you've taken here uh the key concern uh is the fact that there is
still not the massive reports that should uh be the main solidarity expressed by all the partners
NATO EU for Ukraine uh because I think that as a Georgian I know that the battle uh that Ukraine
is fighting for the rest of Europe is essential uh we have seen uh what happens when uh countries
invaded by Russia it happened to us three times over the last two centuries uh and when there
is not enough support enough reaction and Russia if it's not stopped continues is indeed Georgia
has been warning back then president sakash when in 2008 Russia invaded on georan territory that
that lesson needed to be learned for the rest of Europe that's a lesson also that Ukraine learned
in 2014 when Crimea was occupied by Russia um what responses are you getting here today about the way
forward and how are you observing the reaction of Europe right now to this Russian aggression well
I think that Europe has taken the right decision uh just a few days week ago uh by allowing this 50
billion dollar to support Ukraine and I think that that was achieved is a major achievement for the
whole of Europe to show that it's determined the same is expected from the American Congress and
I'm confident that it will finally happen even if it's time is of the essence here and the shorter
the sooner it happens the most important it is and I think that's what president zalinski was here to
say it's strategically important because we have for us for instance the Black Sea is Central it
is our connection our Vital connection to Europe but it's also a question for Europe the security
of the Black Sea is the security of Europe and that's what is at stake with Crimea with
Ukraine uh with Georgia with now the plans of Russia to build military base on the Black Sea
all of that is what will affect the future plans structural Investments of Europe uh to go further
to enlarge and also to be connected to the rest of Central Asia for instance that is a very important
source of resources so many things are at stake here which tangible effect are you feeling from
the uncertainties creating created by an aid package being stuck in Congress at the very
least it will be significantly delayed we saw the US government actually accuse its own Congress of
being responsible for Ukraine having to retreat from one town because of the lack of ammunition
right now and also the uncertainty from Donald Trump who is a presidential candidate but who
um through doubt on his willingness to fulfill NATO commitments if he were to become president
again does does that change how you engage with Russia and Russia engages with you I don't think
anything can change in the mutual relationship between Georgia and Russia the only thing that
can change that is Russia withdrawing from all the territories it occupies be it in Ukraine or
be it in Georgia that is the future of European security not a country that is next to Europe and
that occupies independent countries territories what's your key expectation from the Europeans
from the European Union at this moment in time enlargement enlargement and enlargement okay and
um but that very question of enlargement is not uncontentious in your own country in fact you
came to Munich not authorized you got criticized by the head of the speaker of your own Parliament
for even making this trip so what political battles of this very question of enlargement
are you fighting back home well like any country there are internal political battles but what
is very important to know outside of Georgia is that this has the full consensus of the Georgian
people and that has been the case for the last 30 years since our independence Georgian people have
supported the Georgian Way uh the Georgian way to Europe uh and it has never changed not when
Georgia was occupied invaded uh and it won't change in the future because it's the only
perspective really that exists for this country that is located where it is located there's no
escaping geography but even countries further away here in Germany in Europe um there have been
evidence has been found of Russian interference into societies into communication into social
media um how does that portray itself in Georgia well we are closer and we are much better known as
a people our character by the Russian services so in a way it's easier for them to interfere
in Georgia because it's a known ground for them at the same time uh the Georgian people are also
well experienced in Soviet propaganda which is not very different from the Russian propaganda
of today so maybe their resilience is a bit higher but we're going to be exposed we are exposed and
we're going to be more exposed during this year because it's an year for parliamentary elections
by October so I'm sure that we can expect many interference the hybrid war is going on
towards Georgia understand that you also had the opportunity to speak to president Zen of Ukraine
here in Munich What notes did you have to compare well we we don't have anything to compare it's all
compared already uh I'm there just here to express my support the solidarity of the Georgian people
which is to be witnessed by anyone that comes to Georgia and sees so many Ukrainian flags all
around the walls of the of pH so that's what we I have to do here is to express my solidarity there
is nothing much more that I can do but I think it's important this time because we are part of
the trio the associated Trio now of the candidate countries and most important we are together with
mova three countries that need Black Sea security together now um the German defense minister wants
to get Germany ready within 5 to8 years because there is a possibility of Russian aggression he
wants to see Germany able to defend itself I I would just like to get your time frame for what
do you expect to happen over the next 5 to 8 years what's the best and the worst outcome you expect
the best outcome is Russia having to retreat on its own territory learn that it has borders like
any other nation in the world uh and respect its neighbors uh that means that it uh releases the
occupied territories and we are becoming member of the European Union that's the best and the
only outcome I can think about President zish V of Georgia thank you very much for speaking to
DW