25 August 2018, 08:19
Georgian political analysts see signal to Russia in Angela Merkel's visit
Germany supports the territorial integrity and European integration of Georgia, but it is too early to talk about the country's membership in the NATO, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during her visit to Georgia. Georgian experts have assessed Ms Merkel's visit as a sign of support for the territorial integrity of Georgia.
Angela Merkel's visit to Georgia took place on August 23-24 August as part of her tour to the countries of Southern Caucasus – Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"Germany supports Georgia's aspirations to the European Union (EU); and therefore I am here," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports the Chancellor as stating.
She also treated the situation with Abkhazia and South Ossetia as "unfair." At the same time, Ms Merkel has added that "Georgia has the greatest European perspective."
In his turn, Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, noted the importance of the recognition of Georgia's territorial integrity by Germany.
According to Kakha Gogolashvili, the head of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies, the German Chancellor's visit demonstrates that Germany "pays considerable importance to this region and wants to be the main player therein."
"Such a visit means that Germany would not give Russia a carte blanche in this region, so that it continues its occupation and other aggressive actions," the expert said.
Earlier, activists called on Merkel to raise the topic of human rights in Azerbaijan.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 24, 2018 at 09:07 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Inna Kukudjanova Source: CK correspondent
