By Kostas Onisenko
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said the Kremlin was using Orthodoxy as an instrument to advance its political agenda.
In an interview with the newspaper Ta Nea and referred, the former president of Georgia referred to Moscow’s plans regarding Greece.
“The Kremlin is looking at Greece as the weak point in Europe where it can move comfortably, taking into account historical sentiment and the traditional corruption of some officials,” Saakashvili said.
“Orthodoxy is used to this end because Moscow has always considered Orthodoxy as an instrument it could use not only in Greece but also in all Orthodox countries.
The issue of Orthodoxy can be seen in different ways, but Russia sees it precisely as something (editor’s note: an instrument) through which it can act,” said the former experienced politician.
Mikheil Saakashvili often visits Greece as, he said, more than 200,000 people from Georgia live there. He said he liked Greece very much because it reminded him of his homeland in many ways.
Mikheil Saakashvili also estimated that Greece had gone through the most difficult part of the economic crisis.
He also said he felt respect for the country because, despite the huge problems and chaotic situation of the past years, Greece has proven to be a democratic country, something which “cannot be taken for granted in our region.”
