Day: February 17, 2026
Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili visited Slovakia on February 16, where she met with Juraj Blanár, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs.
Following the meeting, the two ministers held a joint press conference in which Blanár announced that Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, will visit Tbilisi and that Slovakia proposed Georgia’s candidacy for the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The Slovakia visit followed Botchorishvili’s earlier trip to Hungary on February 9–10, where she met with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, and Speaker of the National Assembly, László Kövér. From February 13 to 15, Maka Botchorishvili also attended the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Hungary under Viktor Orbán and Slovakia under Robert Fico are among the Georgian Dream’s few Western partners, with visits and high-level exchanges taking place regularly. The two countries have reportedly been the only EU members to vote against suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders under the bloc’s new legal mechanism.
Meeting with FM Juraj Blanár
On February 16, Maka Botchorishvili met with her Slovakian counterpart, Juraj Blanár.
According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, “the parties discussed current issues in bilateral relations and prospects for deepening cooperation,” and “emphasis was placed on active dynamics of political dialogue and bilateral visits.”
The two also discussed expanding trade and economic relations and “fully leveraging the existing potential,” as well as Georgia’s European integration process, with Botchorishvili highlighting that “Slovakia’s steadfast support for Georgia’s European aspirations is particularly valuable.”
The press release also said the ministers addressed regional security challenges, including the situation in Georgia’s occupied territories. “The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia once again reaffirmed Slovakia’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Press Conference
After the meeting, the two ministers held a joint press conference and spoke in their native languages.
Botchorishvili praised the bilateral relations, saying Slovakia “has always been an important partner for Georgia.” She added that the two governments “fully understand how important it is to protect the sovereignty of our nations.” She further said, “We very often hear criticism precisely because of our sovereign decisions, and in this regard, we believe that our cooperation is very important, and that protecting sovereignty is the only means available to us today to ensure peace and stability in our countries.”
In his remarks, translated from Slovak into Georgian, Slovakia’s FM Blanár said that the Speaker of Parliament as well as the Prime Minister are planning visits to Tbilisi “in the near future,” without giving a specific date.
He also praised Georgia’s economic growth, saying, “Georgia has 7% economic growth. What wouldn’t we give to have the same! Let me congratulate you.”
Blanár then said that the Slovak side “raised the issue of Georgia becoming the OSCE chairmanship country,” noting, “Georgia can make a significant contribution to security issues. Therefore, we welcome Georgia’s candidacy.”
The Slovak foreign minister then criticized what he described as the European Union’s approach to Georgia’s election processes. “There is such injustice in the European Union when the side they do not favor wins elections,” he said, adding that the bloc and its partners “speak a lot about democracy, but some are unable to respect election results. We are obliged to respect elections.”
He also said there were discussions within the EU about potential sanctions on Georgia, amid reports that the bloc may include Kulevi port in its 20th sanctions package against Russia. Blanár said Slovakia had questions but did not receive answers. “What matters most is dialogue. From Georgia’s side, I see a willingness to engage in dialogue. The European Union is founded on dialogue and respect, and Georgia should be part of this dialogue. Georgia must be treated with due respect,” Blanár said.
Also Read:
- 05/12/2025 – Georgian Dream FM Botchorishvili Attends OSCE Ministerial in Vienna
- 13/06/2025 – Kobakhidze, GD Ministers, Visit Hungary
- 24/03/2025 – GD FM Botchorishvili Visits Hungary
Communications Commission (ComCom), Georgia’s state media regulator, has launched administrative proceedings against the critical broadcaster Kavkasia TV over a donation from the United States that the station’s director said came from a person with a Georgian name. The TV channel regularly solicits donations publicly.
In a February 16 Facebook post, Nino Jangirashvili, director of Kavkasia TV, published a letter from the ComCom that cites Georgia’s Law on Broadcasting, which prohibits broadcasters from receiving funding from a “foreign force.” She said the donation came from a person with a Georgian name and surname, whom she does not know and who may be a dual or former Georgian citizen, and described the state regulator’s move as an attempt to intimidate the channel.
Georgian broadcasters are subject to a ban on foreign funding, except for commercial transactions, under laws adopted in 2025 by the Georgian Dream-led parliament. Kavkasia TV has been asked to clarify the nature of the donation.
“What should we answer them?” Jangirashvili wrote. “What service did we provide to the donor? What invoice did we send? Or what did we spend it on? Maybe we paid for electricity or covered salaries. I don’t know. What else could we have done with the money?”
The move comes amid growing pressure and financial difficulties for critical media outlets. In early February, regional Trialeti TV said its satellite broadcasting was halted due to what it described as a financially induced crisis caused by systematic pressure from the authorities.
It also comes amid broader efforts by the Georgian Dream government to restrict foreign funding. The GD MPs in the disputed Parliament are now passing amendments that would expand the definition of foreign grants requiring state approval, introduce criminal liability and prison sentences for violations, allow prosecution of leaders of parties receiving foreign funds, criminalize “external lobbying,” and impose new restrictions on political party members and entrepreneurs.
Also Read:
- 29/01/2026 – Ex-Georgian Dream MP Goga Gulordava Elected Chair of Communications Commission
- 16/01/2026 – Regulator Warns Formula TV Over Alleged UNM Funding
- 30/12/2025 – TI-Georgia: ‘Significant Disproportion’ in Ad Revenues Favors Pro-Gov’t Channels
- 30/10/2025 – How Georgian Dream Is Drying Out Independent Online Media