Kupradze Claims International Arbitration Court's Ruling Favors Neither Georgian Government nor Anaklia Consortium
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Irakli Kupradze, the Secretary General of Lelo, has sharply criticized the recent ruling by the international arbitration court regarding the Anaklia port project. According to Kupradze, the court's decision failed to support either the Georgian government or the Anaklia consortium. Instead, the ruling narrowly focused on the terms of the legal contract and did not take into account the significant political factors that he believes were crucial to the project's failure.
Kupradze argues that the Anaklia port project was sabotaged by political interference, specifically from Russia. He claims that Bidzina Ivanishvili, a key figure in Georgian politics, was involved in carrying out Russia's agenda, which led to the project's downfall. Kupradze is frustrated that the arbitration did not address these political issues, focusing solely on the contractual aspects of the dispute.
"The arbitration court's decision didn't consider the broader political context that played a major role in the failure of the Anaklia port project," Kupradze said. "Instead, it only looked at the terms of the legal contract. This is a significant oversight."
Kupradze also criticized the decision for its financial implications. He pointed out that the only cost resulting from the arbitration ruling is the fee for arbitration services, which will be borne by the Anaklia consortium. "This additional financial burden highlights a major flaw in the arbitration process. By ignoring the political dynamics that affected the project, the court failed to address the root causes of the issue," he added.
The Lelo Secretary General emphasized that the failure to account for political interference has not only deprived Georgians of potential economic benefits but has also demonstrated how political agendas can derail important development projects. "The Anaklia port could have created numerous jobs and provided significant economic opportunities for the country. However, political actions have undermined this potential," Kupradze concluded.
