Georgia’s PM evaluates US visit in local interview

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has assessed his official visit to the United States of America as "very positive [with] unprecedentedly successful meetings”, in an interview with Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB).

In last night’s interview, Georgia’s leader spoke about meeting the US President, relations with Ukraine and some of the challenges facing the Government.

He said the numerous meetings with various American officials was evidence the country supported the Georgian Government. Furthermore, his meeting with President Barack Obama was "very friendly and comfortable for me”, Garibashvili said.

The meeting with President Obama was not a surprise for the Georgian delegation and any such kind of event did not happen spontaneously, he emphasized.

"At the meeting, we reviewed a range of issues. We also assessed the Ukrainian crisis, as well as the need of deepening dialogue between the US and Georgia. Their attitude toward Georgia is absolutely positive. The American side unequivocally indicates it supports the new Government,” Garibashvili added.

When speaking with President Obama, the leader noted it was necessary to deepen the economic relations between the two countries and intensify trade relations.

The developing crisis in Ukraine was also highlighted between Prime Minister Garibashvili and President Obama and the sides exchanged information and discussed Georgia’s previous similar experience.

Garibashvili expressed his deep concern toward Ukraine and emphasized full support to Ukrainian people.

"First of all I feel pity for the Ukrainian people. The processes happening there will bring severe consequences. All this has interrupted development of the country. We had a similar experience, which we are still being affected by now. I wish Ukraine will overcome the crisis soon.”

Within the GPB interview, which lasted almost one hour, Georgia’s Premier emphasized the main challenges facing the Government. Some of the Government’s priorities were developing the country’s economy, ensuring a free judicial system, allowing media independence and freedom of speech and improving social wealth.

Garibashvili stressed the Georgian court was the most independent it had ever been.

"If anyone dares to interfere with the court's decision I will be the first to challenge those people,” Garibashvili said.

"This is a victory for Georgian democracy … but there are still some questions. I heard some judges are under the influence of United National Movement members and are pressured but I hope the judges are getting aligned and are beginning to feel the price of freedom,” Garibashvili said.

Georgia’s opposition parties was discussed during the interview, and the PM expressed his strong desire to see constructive opposition parties defend the countries interests.

"I am always open to criticism but it should be healthy and constructive. Therefore, I will be happy if one day we will see future-oriented opposition forces in Georgian politics,” Garibashvili said.

At the end of the interview Garibashvili remembered an amusing fact from his meeting at the White House. When an American journalist asked him how he felt when people emphasized his young age, the PM answered by saying he was "proud of it”.

"Interest in my age is high”, Garibashvili laughed.

"President Obama also joked about this issue. He remembered the time of the Soviet Union, which was a difficult period for Georgia, and then he realised that this era would not have made sense for me because at this time I was only 5 or 6 years old and had remembered nothing.

"Although Vice President Joe Biden supported me. He said he was 25-26 years old when he became the country’s young member of Senate,” Garibashvili said.