president Salam 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 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 these 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 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 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 Phi
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 to eight 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 it 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