Solving problems problems with neighbours
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Tuesday, July 26
Georgia’s Prime Minister claims the country remains “an island of stability” in the region and that Georgia should solve its relationship problems with neighbouring states but not at the expense of losing territorial integrity.
The PM stated this on July 23 when presenting the majoritarian candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party (GDDG) in the Guria and Samegrelo regions.
“Today we see more stability in Georgia than we had four years ago [than under the previous, United National Movement Government]. From my point of view, everybody feels it,” Kvirikashvili stated.
“Despite the regional and other developments, Georgia remains the island of some stability. It has become possible due to a balanced, pragmatic external policy. It is very important to stay on the path,” the PM added.
The PM stressed solving of relationship problems with neighbours, allegedly meant Russia which occupies 20% of the Georgian soil, was of utmost importance for keeping stability and future success of Georgia.
“But of course, all should respect Georgia’s territorial integrity and its sovereign decisions. Therefore more stability is needed for thinking of long-term development plans,” Kvirikashvili stated.
In his speech, the PM highlighted the successful reforms the ruling Georgian Dream coalition has carried out since 2012, when the coalition defeated the nine-year rule of the UNM party.
“Over the last four years we have cared for basic issues such as healthcare. It is no longer necessary to mortgage your own property and take a debt to afford medical care. We have also laid foundations for local industry. We have developed agriculture, assisted farmers with small land plots, provided people with long-term programmes, agricultural credits and many others,” Kvirikashvili said.
The PM stressed that 99% of Georgia's problems lied in the drawbacks of the education system, which he promised to improve in the coming years.
The PM also said the current pre-election campaigning which kicked off on June 8 for the upcoming October 8 parliamentary race was being conducted in a more calm atmosphere than those under the previous state leadership.
The GDDG majoritarian candidates for Samegrelo were not known to the public, but as Kvirikashvili stressed, they were highly qualified people with good knowledge of the regional problems and specific characteristics.
Meanwhile, the opposition continues to criticize the Government’s policies, and says the Georgian Dream Government brought the country to the current economic crisis and the high-level of unemployment.
