Estonian Defense Minister Clarifies Remarks on Georgia
Estonian Defense Minister, Jaak Aaviksoo, told the Estonian newspaper, Postimees, that his remarks about Georgia, cited by the Guardian, were his description of position of some European states and not his personal or Estonia’s official position.
In an article published on November 11, the Guardian quoted Aaviksoo: “We have to admit that the trustworthiness of Tbilisi has suffered. Some countries clearly see that Georgia acted in an unpredictable way.”
When asked by Postimees how precisely he was quoted, Aaviksoo responded: “As far as I can remember. I still believe that this is an adequate description of the situation. Under the situation I mean attitudes, which are among our many partners. As far as the [Estonian] government’s position is concerned or mine personal, it has not changed even slightly.”
He was then asked: “So those words in the Guardian did not refer to your personal assessment or the assessments of the Estonian government, but only referred to general attitudes?”
“Let’s put it this way,” the Estonian Defense Minister responded, “yes it referred to these processes, which are ongoing in general. Such assessments have been voiced not once. We [Estonians] apparently better understand this situation. I would not have said, that Georgia somehow disappointed me.”
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian)
