Kavelashvili pointed to Georgia's desire to join the EU and preserve its values

It makes no sense for Georgia to join any organizations without its own values and traditions. This was stated by Georgian President-elect Mikhail Kavelashvili in an interview with Imedi TV channel on December 15.

"If we don't have our values and character, culture, language, faith, defense of the homeland - what sense will it make to join any organization?" - TASS news agency quoted the president-elect as saying.

He noted that Georgia is not giving up on European integration, while expressing a desire to join the European Union with its own traditions. Kavelashvili also added that the Georgian authorities are ready for discussion on any issues, but the Western countries do not show any reciprocal desire, but only criticize Georgia.

Ruling decision: inauguration in Georgia will not be without protests

How a former soccer player became president and whether it will affect Tbilisi's relations with Moscow

On December 14, Georgian presidential candidate from the Georgian Dream party Mikhail Kavelashvili won the required 200 votes in the presidential election.

At the presidential elections in the republic, for the first time in the history of Georgia, not citizens but the electoral college voted for a candidate for the post of head of state. The session began at 09:00 (08:00 Moscow time) and lasted until 14:00 (13:00 Moscow time). The collegium consisted of 300 people, 211 of them were members of the Georgian Dream.

Meanwhile, protests continue in Georgia over the suspension of negotiations on European integration and the opposition's disagreement with the results of parliamentary elections. Protesters tried to set fire to the Georgian parliament building and damaged dozens of offices, while law enforcement agencies had to use tear gas.