4 years at a glance: Georgia’s ruling party founder addresses nation

Georgia’s former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and the founder of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, has today published an open letter to the nation to summarize the progress made since the Parliamentary Elections in October 2012 when GD came into power.

In a 23-page letter Ivanishvili spoke about what he believed had changed since 2012 and offered his thoughts about future.

Ivanishvili said Georgia had achieved significant progress in all international and local rankings and indexes and there was no sphere where the situation wasn’t much better today than it was before 2012.

"One of the greatest achievements of our Government involves transition from the country’s debt-based economy to an investment-driven economy,” he wrote.

He added in 2013-2016 (including a forecast for 2016), the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Georgia grew by 62 percent compared to 2009-2012.

Part of the letter was devoted to Georgia’s foreign policy.

"Because democracy and free environment make up the only foundation of our prosperity, it is also clear that integration in the European Union and Euro-Atlantic institutions, accession to NATO, is a strategic priority of Georgia’s foreign policy, and there are no questions whatsoever in this direction,” Ivanishvili said.

He stressed Georgia was a "regional torchbearer” of democratic development that was in alignment with the European Union.

"Georgia’s business environment is the best in the region, and we meet the requirements of the Free Trade Area better than anyone else,” he said.

As for the priority directions of the country’s foreign policy, Georgia especially cherished its relations with the United States of America, its strategic partner, "the most valuable guarantor and firm supporter” of Georgia’s independence.

"America has seen us through some trials and tribulations, being the largest provider of financial, military, political, and moral support,” Ivanishvili said.

As for its northern neighbour, Ivanishvi said: "We will spare no effort to normalise our relations with Russia without compromising Georgia’s interests.”

When talking about the future, Ivanishvili said: "this yea, the political maturity of our society as a whole is about to be put to the test”.

"In the past, it all boiled down to choosing between black and white. Today we have many new colors, and we enjoy freedom of choice - everyone strives to prove his/her point and serve his/her own agenda, which is why it is much harder today to make the right choice,” he said.

"This letter, as well as my TV appearances throughout the election season, seeks to offer our compatriots, before they make their final decision, my assessment of ongoing processes, explain why they should support Georgian Dream and its leader, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who is remarkable for his erudition, integrity, diligence and is a truly European style balanced leader that Georgia needs today.”

Ivanishvili added he has no personal agenda or goals related to the upcoming Parliamentary Elections in October.

"My only concern is to make sure that in 10-15 years we successfully accomplish what our ancestors have been building for centuries so that together with you my family and I may also rejoice and prosper in Georgia,” he said.

To achieve this goal, Ivanishvili said he planned to visit all regions and participate in TV shows throughout the election season. He said he would meet people, discuss particular tasks facing the country, answer questions from reporters and Facebook users about the Government’s performance, economic state of affairs, about political parties and the media, and all core issues that should define the nations’ political choice.

Ivanishvili said he was convinced the GD would win the October Parliamentary Elections.