The sale of weapons to Georgia by France and other European Union (EU) countries is aimed at strengthening Tbilisi's defense capabilities. This statement was issued by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in response to the request of Constance Le Grip, Deputy National Assembly (lower house) of the Republic. A Lenta.ru reporter reviewed the response.
“(Arms sales) support controlled cooperation in the defense sector and contribute to strengthening Georgia's resilience to external pressure and limiting the risk of influence (…) going against European interests,” the French Foreign Ministry emphasized.
Le Grip asked the French foreign ministry to explain the continued supply of weapons to Tbilisi in the context of Paris' refusal to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia in October 2024, as well as statements about the republic's undemocratic government. According to the politician, the actions of the French authorities towards the Transcaucasian country, including the visit of the employees of the Ministry of Defense of the Fifth Republic, could cause a split in the EU policy towards Tbilisi.
In response, the French Foreign Ministry pointed to the 2008 EU Council decisions on military-technical cooperation with Georgia, as well as other obligations in the field of arms trade. According to diplomats, cooperation with Tbilisi plays an important role in bringing the republic closer to the European Union.
Previously, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, announced the EU's desire to establish democracy with the help of tanks. According to the politician, Brussels' behavior showed Georgians that the country's values do not overlap with the values of the EU.
