France and Georgia: Building and Maintaining a Strong Relationship Through the Difficulty

In the wake of the devastating events that has been happening in Ukraine over the past weeks, we spoke to Diego Colas, Ambassador of France to Georgia about the current situation and the threats it holds for Georgia.

How would you assess the Eastern Partners’ (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia) initiative to join the EU via fast track procedure? What opportunities do you think this holds for Georgia?

Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are clearly European countries. Their aspirations to join the EU are well known and were applauded in the most recent Summit of the Eastern Partnership.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has put this endeavour in a new light. Ukrainians have united and are defending their independence, their democracy and their freedom with considerable bravery and heroism. It is an inspiration for us, as this is also a battle for our shared values. France’s Foreign Minister Le Drian has already said that we will have to draw conclusions from this new reality.

Georgia and Moldova have also been keen to remain in close coordination with Ukraine’s initiative, confirming their own wishes to go towards a joint future with the EU as an associated trio. This makes a lot of sense. The more we are together in this fight for our values, the more we will work together in the construction of this common future for Europe.

With a French presidency at the Council of the EU, what are the chances that this decision on these applications will be positive?

Decisions to enlarge the European Union follow a precise process. They will result from a thorough democratic deliberation involving a vote in the European Parliament, unanimity of Member States in the Council, an opinion by the European Commission, and decisions by national parliaments in all member states. This is only natural as enlargement is a process that touches the very existence of the EU and its capacity to be a well-functioning actor in a dangerous world.

Now, the most urgent priority is to put an end to the violence in Ukraine resulting from the ongoing aggression by Russia. For this, our entire effort is geared towards implementing concretely the considerable degree of support that has already been decided, and even to increase this support. This is the most important thing for now.

Then there will be the necessity to establish, together, what future Europe we want to see, how it will work, what it will do, how it is organised. Those involved in the present struggle, which is a struggle for the soul and the values of Europe, will of course have their voice heard.

How would you assess the recent meeting between the Presidents of Georgia and France?

It was important for President Macron to restate France’s solidarity with Georgia in this difficult hour, and to hear the evaluation of the situation by President Zourabichvili. That is why we took the initiative of this call, and welcomed the possibility of a follow-up visit for a more complete exchange. Minister Le Drian also called Minister Zalkaliani for the same reasons. They were very good and important exchanges.

Our two Presidents have met several times last year, in particular to pay homage to French and Georgian hero Dimitry Amilakhvari and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the recognition of the independence of Georgia by France, and then of the sheltering in France of the Georgian democratic government exiled after the invasion of the Red Army in 1921. In difficult times like these, it is important to build upon the very close relations that are multiplying between France and Georgia.

What do you think about the current events in Ukraine and how do you think they may affect Georgia?

The massive attack launched by Russia against Ukraine is a war of aggression, a crime against international peace, a brutal violation of fundamental pillars of the international order such as the Charter of the United Nations, a violation of many international norms. It is important to see that it did not go without a strong reaction. I am struck by the remarkable unity shown by Europeans and other key countries in supporting Ukraine by all means possible, in consolidating our security which is linked to that of our Eastern European partners and friends, in adopting comprehensive and very considerable sanctions, in dismantling the tools of disinformation. Such unity was also remarkable in the UN General Assembly where the support for condemning aggression was overwhelming.

So one of the key lessons of these developments is that the strategic partners of Georgia are indeed strong, mobilised and reliable. Those who argued that they would not be so made a dramatic mistake and should review their judgement. This is an important element for Georgia to see in these difficult times.