Hungary: Georgia has avoided the risk of becoming the second Ukraine

(Dan Tri) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the former Soviet nation of Georgia has avoided the danger of becoming a second Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (Photo: Reuters).

During a visit to Tbilisi as rotating president of the European Council, Mr Orban said the Georgian people had made the right choice in preventing their country from becoming a second Ukraine.

"The people of Georgia have made a decision: They voted for peace . They will not allow their country to become a second Ukraine. We will support Georgia's efforts for European integration and the development of Hungarian-Georgian relations," he said.

Earlier, at a press conference in Tbilisi, after talks with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze, Mr. Orban congratulated the ruling Georgia Dream party on its victory in the parliamentary elections on October 26. Mr. Orban also appreciated Georgia's neutral stance on the conflict in Ukraine.

However, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has rejected the results of the country's parliamentary elections and called on people to take to the streets in protest. She alleges that the voting process was manipulated to benefit the ruling Georgia Dream party. Ms. Zourabichvili is a pro-Western politician.

On October 28, thousands of people protested outside the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi on Monday after the ruling party won the election.

According to official results, Georgian Dream won 54% of the votes, while opposition parties received between 3 and 11%. With this result, Georgian Dream can form a government without forming a coalition with other parties.

On the other hand, Russia accused the West of trying to interfere in the election in Georgia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied Ms. Zourabichvili's accusation that Russia had helped Georgia Dream win the election.

Both the EU and the US have expressed concern over reports of electoral fraud in Georgia and called for an investigation. The EU also said Mr Orban "did not represent the EU" during his visit to Georgia.

Earlier, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze warned that the country's pro-Western opposition would open a "second front" against Russia beyond the conflict in Ukraine if it wins parliamentary elections.

In recent times, the Georgian government under the leadership of Georgia Dream has taken steps to ease tensions with neighboring Russia, 16 years after the two countries fought a war over two breakaway regions.

Russia recently said it was open to negotiations regarding a possible withdrawal of troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway regions of Georgia.

The law requires individuals and organizations, including media companies, that receive more than 20% foreign funding to register as “foreign-influenced parties.” Supporters say the bill increases media transparency, while critics compare it to a similar Russian law.

On the other hand, tensions between Georgia and the West have continued to escalate, especially after the former Soviet country passed a "foreign agent" law despite concerns from the US and Europe. The West then warned that Georgia would face consequences if the law was passed.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/hungary-georgia-da-tranh-duoc-nguy-co-tro-thanh-ukraine-thu-2-20241029172312784.htm