Georgian PM reaffirms support for Ukraine, ending war “in shortest time possible”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday reaffirmed his Government's support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in its ongoing war with Russia, as well as for seeing an end to the war “in the shortest time possible”. 

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In his annual report of the Government’s work, the PM stressed he was “very much worried” by the conflict, calling it an “unprecedented challenge and crisis on the European continent”. 

This war has had a great impact both on the European continent and our region, our country, on global politics as a whole, and it can be said that the whole world is facing the most serious crisis since World War II”, Garibashvili said and noted the challenge needed to be managed “very wisely”. 

The official also claimed his Government had acted in a “reasonable manner” to respond to the complications sparked by the conflict. 

We have been implementing the correct policy from the very first days [of the war]. I have said it many times, and it is the common spirit of the current Georgian Government, that our key task should be to protect the national interests of our country. With this motivation and vision, the Government is sticking to a policy that is in the interests of the Georgian people”, he said. 

Garibashvili also pointed out Georgia was still struggling with the economic and other challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic when the conflict erupted in late February, adding his Government had still managed to ensure a 10 percent economic growth for two years in a row, a development he said would benefit the country's population.