President Zurabishvili calls for 'national agreement' at reception for ruling party, opposition leaders
Zurabishvili hosted a New Year's reception for Georgian politicians at Orbeliani Palace. Photo: Georgian President's press office
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has called for a 'national agreement' at a New Year's reception she hosted for the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party and opposition leaders at Orbeliani Presidential Palace earlier this evening.
Zurabishvili said that both the ruling party and opposition members should strive to reach a consensus by listening to each other and exchanging opinions.
Obviously, everyone's goal is to reconcile, which I'd rather call a national agreement process... It is crucial to move this process ahead, she said.
Zurabishvili (L) said that Georgian politicians should strive to reach a consensus. Photo: Georgian President's press office
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— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 16, 2021
New Year ceremony at @OrbelianiPalace for political party representatives https://t.co/6fkY9z5NRo
GD head Irakli Kobakhidze thanked the president for her efforts to end polarisation in the country, but noted that 'reconciliation should be based on fairness.'
Past, present, and future perspective of particular political forces should be assessed. In accordance with that, we can carry on the relations with those political parties, Kobakhidze added.
Parliament Vice Speaker Archil Talakvadze said that the president made an 'important' initiative, and the ruling party will ensure 'healthy collaboration around national interests.'
Georgia has important tasks, both in terms of foreign and domestic policy... Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration is also a shared task, Talakvadze noted.
Talakvadze (R) said that Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration is a 'shared task.' Photo: Georgian President's press office
Opposition MP David Bakradze said he agrees with the president's opinions regarding the current political situation in the country. However, he called for a 'specific' plan.
I had a conversation with the president, I asked her questions... She is ready to meet all political parties to discuss specific details. I hope that, during the following process, when the meetings with parties are held, all details will be discussed, Bakradze said.
Opposition's United National Movement, European Georgia, Droa, and Lelo party leaders did not attend the reception. However, members of the Lelo parliamentary faction - Pikria Chikhradze, Ana Natsvlishvili, and Salome Samadashvili took part in the meeting.