PM highlights Georgia’s ranking in fuel prices in response to protests
The subject of the price of gas both in Georgia and Europe was also raised in the comments by the head of the Government, who said the cost of 1,000 cubic metres of gas in Europe had hit $3,900 three weeks ago while it had stood at about $120 in Georgia. The PM called the contrasting prices a “huge difference.” Photo: Government of Georgia
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Prices of fuel are higher in 99 countries compared to Georgia, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili pointed out on Monday in response to protests in cities of the country over rising fuel costs on the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Georgia ranked 100th in the world on fuel costs, Garibashvili said while pointing to the country’s “import-dependent” status. The Government head said local prices were reflecting the “same challenges” as those faced globally in the wake of the crisis sparked by the conflict last month.
In his comments, Garibashvili referred to the rallies held yesterday in several cities of the country where demonstrators protested the rising fuel prices, demanded abolition of excise tax on fuel and transfer of value-added tax to a floating mode. The protests resulted in several arrests across the country.
The PM called on the public not to “respond to provocations”, adding police “had to respond” as people “behaved provocatively” and blocked the streets in the rallies. Garibashvili called the events “unacceptable” and added “[t]here must be order in the country and all citizens must obey the law and rules”.
The subject of the price of gas both in Georgia and Europe was also raised in the comments by the head of the Government, who said the cost of 1,000 cubic metres of gas in Europe had hit $3,900 three weeks ago while it had stood at about $120 in Georgia. The PM called the contrasting prices a “huge difference.”
Georgia is “no exception” in rising prices and inflation, Garibashvili also said, as he pointed to the 13.7 percent inflation rate in February in the country, and contrasted the figure to rates during the previous Government.
Fuel prices in Georgia are increasing due to the rise in oil prices around the world, as well as the rise in shipping costs in the Black Sea amid the war in Ukraine.
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