PM Kvirikashvili at Chatham House: Georgia will prevail like Leicester city

Georgia’s vibrant history and bright future were the focus of a speech by Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili to guests at Chatham House in Britain’s capital London today.

PM Kvirikashvili, who arrived in London two days ago to attend the Anti-Corruption Summit: London 2016, spoke of Georgia’s past experiences and future intentions, and noted his country had all the potential to be a success story like Britain’s own Leicester city, which victoriously and surprisingly won the English Premier League this year.

He began by noting Georgia had transformed itself from a country damaged by 70 years of totalitarian rule into a "modern, democratic and dynamic state”.

It is no exaggeration to say that we serve as a beacon of democratic values, stability, and progress in a difficult region,” Kvirikashvili said.

We see united&prosperous #Georgia.You may consider it's impossible, but I have 2 words that show dreams are possible: Leicester City #lcfc

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) May 13, 2016

Georgia’s economy and investment environment, regional security issues, its two occupied regions and democratic reforms were the focus of his speech.

He stressed Georgia was making "good progress” in implementing its Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) and in the coming weeks he expected Georgia would be granted a visa free regime allowing its citizens the right to travel to the Schengen zone without a visa.

Georgia’s economy and investments

In recent years Georgia had shown marked improvement in terms of economic advancement, where according to the World Bank, Georgia was one of the "easiest countries” in which to do business.

We have the ninth lowest tax burden in the world. We have increasing foreign investment and all the major credit rating agencies consider us stable,” Kvirikashvili told Chatham House guests.

He also noted his Government had adopted a Four Point Reform Agenda designed to ensure long-term sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Kvirikashvili stressed Georgia was successfully implementing its deals with the EU and highlighted Georgia’s very profitable geographic location.

While the world may be forced into choosing sides between Russia and Turkey, Europe and Asia, Shia or Sunni, or even Arab and Israeli, Georgia remains a safe haven situated in a place where companies can engage everyone,” Kvirikashvili said.

Additionally, he said Georgia had fulfilled all the criteria necessary for visa liberalisation and now the country waited for a final decision from the EU.

Security issues

Georgia contributed many soldiers and expertise to international peacekeeping missions and the country enjoyed close cooperation with NATO.

The upcoming NATO Warsaw Summit in Poland was particularly important for Georgia as the country looked to forging closer ties with the alliance, leading to eventual membership.

We believe our cooperation [with NATO] should extend to include elements that would increase Georgia’s self defence capabilities and strengthen its resilience,” Georgia’s PM said.

He continued by saying NATO engagement would be "decisive” in bringing Georgia’s security and defence sector fully in line with NATO standards and criteria. This new type of cooperation was necessary as Georgia’s faced ongoing security challenges.

Those who think in terms of ‘zones of influence’ and ‘spheres of exclusive and privileged interests’ promote the idea that countries in our region should not have the right to pursue an independent foreign policy,” said Georgia’s PM.

He stressed Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic choice was the choice of the Georgian people and it was "irreversible”.

Georgia’s occupied territories

Georgia was concerned by Russia’s activities in Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and the cooperation deals recently signed between Russia and the breakaway regions.

Kvirikashvili said Georgia was "very much concerned” by Tskhinvali’s planned referendum whether to join Russia or not. He stressed this and other actions by Russia contradicted all international laws and standards.

Our efforts to normalize relations with Moscow are insufficient without due respect for our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In the occupied territories of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali local population is deprived of fundamental rights,” said Kvirikashvili.

Despite this the Georgian Government continued to provide a range of assistance to the population living near the occupation lines by addressing their immediate needs and working towards socio-economic development of the regions.

We seek to break the deadlock in Russia-Georgian relations by pursuing pragmatic policies and dialogue. These policies include steps to restore relations in trade, transport, humanitarian work, and other fields,” Kvirikashvili said.

In terms of reforms, Georgia’s high official stressed his Government had implemented large-scaled judiciary reforms, seen significant progress in terms of human rights protection and media freedom. He also noted recent reforms would ensure the country hosted free and transparent Parliamentary Elections in October. Kvirikashvili promised these elections would be held in line with highest European standards.

To conclude, Kvirikashvili said:

"When I look to the future I see a united and prosperous Georgia fully integrated into Western institutions. I see a future where we resolve the difficult problems and enjoy good relations with all our neighbours, including Russia. I see Georgia as a critical nexus safeguarding European energy security. I see a flourishing regional hub for trade, transportation, and logistics.”

Kvirikashvili said some may consider this an impossible dream - but he said there was one word that proved dreams come true, and said "Leicester”.