Maka Botchorishvili: Sustainable Peace Requires Respect for National Sovereignty

On 24 September 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili participated in the Ministerial-level Meeting of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission.

The Minister noted that the foundations of sustainable peace are strong national institutions, national ownership, and the ability of a country to independently determine its own development path.

She stated that international support plays an important role in the peacebuilding process; however, international engagement should not replace the right to make decisions at the national level.

“Sustainable peace requires strong national institutions, decisions rooted in national priorities, and respect for the sovereign right of each country to determine its own path,” Maka Botchorishvili stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister underscored that sovereignty and peace are issues of particular importance for Georgia. She noted that the country has experienced the consequences of war and conflict firsthand for decades, while the Russian occupation of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region remains a daily reality for Georgia.

According to Maka Botchorishvili, it is precisely this experience that underpins the Georgian Government’s clear choice: the peaceful resolution of conflicts, reconciliation, and engagement with conflict-affected populations.

The Minister also noted that peace is not merely a matter of security. A stable environment enables countries to shift their focus towards long-term development, economic growth, infrastructure, education and improving the well-being of their societies.

In this context, she spoke about Georgia’s experience, noting that stability has created opportunities for the country’s development.

“We know the price of peace, and we know that peace is the foundation of our development, our prosperity and our future,” the Deputy Prime Minister stated.
Maka Botchorishvili also highlighted the importance of peace and stability in the South Caucasus. She stated that a more peaceful and predictable environment in the region would create new opportunities for economic development, investment, cooperation and the strengthening of regional connectivity.

The Deputy Prime Minister also underscored the importance of the progress achieved in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and highlighted its role in promoting regional stability and development.

She noted that Georgia continues to develop its infrastructure and regional connectivity, thereby linking the country, as well as the South Caucasus as a whole, with international markets.

According to Maka Botchorishvili, maintaining peace and stability is both a security and development priority for Georgia.

“Peace remains not only our security priority, but our development priority and our commitment to future generations,” the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili stated.