Prepared by Messenger Staff
Zourabichvili Warns Georgia's Crisis Risks Being Overlooked as EU Fails to Act
Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, said the country's political crisis must remain on the international agenda, warning that European inaction is eroding public trust and benefiting Russia.
In an interview with The Brussels Times, Zourabichvili stressed that Georgia should not be sidelined despite multiple global crises.
"It is important that Georgia and Georgia's crisis remain in the focus of the world's attention," she said.
She said the desire for independence and a European future remains strong among Georgians, despite the current course of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
"The sense that Georgia must be independent and have its own natural European future is deeply rooted among the people," Zourabichvili noted.
At the same time, she accused the government of deliberately cutting ties with Europe under Russian influence.
"They are clearly following Russia's instructions to sever ties with Europe, which is why they have launched harsh anti-European and anti-Western rhetoric that is not natural for Georgians," she said.
Zourabichvili also criticized the European Union for failing to back its rhetoric with concrete action, saying this has weakened public confidence in Europe.
"People hear calls for sanctions and then discover that, in reality, nothing has been done," she said, adding that EU inaction is already shaping attitudes in Georgia.
She warned that allowing a country close to EU integration to drift into Russia's orbit should concern Europe as much as Georgia.
"A country that was almost at the EU's doorstep being absorbed by Russia should be alarming not only for us, but for Europe as well," Zourabichvili said.
Georgia Signs USD 150 Million Deal With Groupe ADP to Expand Tbilisi Airport
Georgia has signed an agreement with French airport operator Groupe ADP to expand Tbilisi International Airport, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at the presentation of the expansion project.
"Today is a very important day. We are signing an agreement with the French company Groupe ADP on the expansion of Tbilisi International Airport," Kobakhidze said.
Under the deal, a USD 150 million investment will be made to expand the airport's capacity and improve passenger services. The project aims to increase passenger traffic, streamline airport operations, and improve safety and comfort for travelers, according to Kobakhidze.
Kobakhidze said that TAV, a subsidiary of Groupe ADP and the current airport operator, will continue managing Tbilisi International Airport for an additional five years, until the end of 2031. The extension will remain in force until the construction of the new Tbilisi International Airport in Vaziani is completed.
"A USD 150 million investment will be made to expand the airport, which will significantly increase its capacity and substantially improve the quality of passenger services," he said, adding that the project will introduce a modern passenger experience aligned with international standards.
Kobakhidze also thanked Groupe ADP and TAV for their long-term cooperation in the development of Georgia's aviation infrastructure.
