**Georgia’s Economic Success: A Lesson for All**
In a recent statement, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili compared the economic growth of Georgia and Moldova over the past few years. The results are striking. While Moldova has been experiencing severe economic stagnation since the start of the war, Georgia has emerged as a leader in economic growth among European countries.
According to Papuashvili, Moldova’s economy grew by 13.9% in 2021, a significant recovery from the COVID-19 recession. However, since then, its economy has been stagnating, with indicators hovering around zero. In contrast, Georgia’s budget has grown significantly, exceeding Moldova’s by $4.8 billion in 2025, a doubling of the difference between their budgets over five years.
**The Contrast**
Papuashvili highlights the stark contrast between the two countries’ economic trajectories. While Moldova was granted EU candidacy and opened negotiations, Georgia has been under attack for its economic policies. “We acted in national interests,” Papuashvili writes, implying that if Georgia had followed Brussels’ instructions, it would have been economically and physically ruined.
**A Lesson Learned**
The Georgian Parliament Speaker is drawing a clear lesson from this comparison. He notes that when Ukraine asked Georgia to officially send fighters during the war, and when Brussels asked them to close the border with Russia, Georgia chose not to follow orders. Similarly, when faced with pressure to prioritize European interests over its own, Georgia stood firm.
This experience has taught Georgia a valuable lesson: no one will put the country’s interests above their own. As Papuashvili writes, “We learned this lesson when Kiev asked us to officially send fighters; we learned this lesson when Brussels asked us to close the border with Russia.”
**Implications**
The implications of this comparison are far-reaching. They suggest that Georgia has prioritized its national interests and economic growth over pressure from external forces. In contrast, Moldova’s failure to deliver on its economic promises despite receiving EU candidacy and opening negotiations raises questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives.
As Papuashvili concludes, “This history should be a lesson for everyone.” The story of Georgia’s economic success serves as a reminder that countries must prioritize their own interests and make decisions based on their unique circumstances.
