PM candidate: ‘Our goal is to restore territorial integrity without war’
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Georgian PM candidate Giorgi Gakharia spoke of the Russian occupation of the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) in his speech in parliament ahead of today's vote of confidence in his government.
He said occupation is the country’s “greatest challenge”, which hinders its further development.
When we say that 20% of Georgian territories are under occupation, we should always underline that 20% of Georgian economy is occupied, 20% of the country’s development is occupied, 20% of the country’s human capital is occupied”, Gakharia stated.
He said the Government of Georgia will protect the dignity of every person living beyond the occupation line and interests of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Gakharia, who also answered the questions of ruling party MPs at yesterday’s parliamentary meeting, said “war is not a solution".
Occupation is a problem, which until its final solution, will be the part of our everyday lives”, he then stated.
PM candidate believes that Georgia should use all of its available tools, including its peace initiative, public diplomacy, as well as international negotiations, to counter Russian aggression.
Earlier that day Gakharia met with the opposition Alliance of Patriots as well, who asked questions about the possibility of starting direct talks with Russia. However, Gakharia said, Georgia has relevant formats to talk with Russia and no new formats are on the agenda yet.
Giorgi Gakharia will become the country’s next prime minister if the parliament of Georgia will approve his renewed cabinet, following the resignation of Mamuka Bakhtadze earlier this week.
The Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) Erik Hoeg said the recent decision of de facto Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) officials to close the so-called border with the rest of Georgia is “negatively affecting local communities” on both sides of the occupation line.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry is concerned that the “occupation forces occupied the hilltop in the vicinity of the village of Chorchana, installed a so-called ‘border’ sign and stepped up works to deploy a so-called checkpoint there”.
The candidate for the premiership Giorgi Gakharia has been asked almost all the questions regarding the June 20 rally dispersal by the United National Movement MPs earlier today, as part of the mandatory procedure of a meeting with parliamentary factions before the final vote for the new cabinet and the PM takes place.
The OSCE Permanent Council has made a statement on recent developments in the occupied regions of Georgia on behalf of 15 countries. The United States Mission to OSCE, which "fully subscribes to the joint statement made by the Group of Friends of Georgia", released a separate statement as well in its "national capacity".
With 98 votes in favour and zero against, the parliament of Georgia has approved of the new cabinet under Giorgi Gakharia’s premiership. The Georgian Dream ruling party nominated Giorgi Gakharia to take up the premiership, following Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze's resignation on September 2.
The new PM of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia has held his first official meeting with acting US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker in Tbilisi earlier today, stating that the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration and further strengthening of relations with the US are the major goals of the new cabinet.