Turmoil in country not invited to NATO Summit

At the recent NATO Summit in Ankara, the fact that Georgia was not among the officially invited countries sparked intense debate across the nation. While invitations were extended to partner countries such as Ukraine and Japan, whose membership application processes are ongoing, Georgia's exclusion from this significant platform has strengthened concerns about "international isolation."

Officials from the ruling Georgian Dream Party emphasized that the lack of an invitation was due to changes in the summit format, while the opposition accused the government of weakening relations with the West. Experts, however, agree that the policies Georgia has pursued recently have damaged the country's credibility. Former Permanent Representative to NATO Levan Dolidze stated that the current foreign policy has reduced the country's influence within NATO and the European Union, noting that "the country is being excluded not only from NATO but also from discussions within the EU."

The controversial "foreign influence" law adopted in Georgia in recent years triggered mass protests against the government and led the EU to suspend the membership process indefinitely. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision to freeze negotiations with the European Union is leading to questions about the country's role on international platforms.

Political analysts state that the increasing distance between Georgia and the West is fueling the perception that the country's strategic value is diminishing. Demands are rising within the country for the government to chart a new course in foreign policy and seek a balance in its relations with the West.

Meanwhile, as debates over Georgia's exclusion continue, whether the country's future international position will be reshaped is being closely watched, particularly in European capitals.