Georgian PM hails Orbán as “wise, visionary national leader” at CPAC Conference

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday praised his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán as a “wise and visionary national leader” defending the interests of his “brave” country, in his address to the ongoing Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest. 

Highlighting the importance of the gathering of conservative activists and officials across the world, hosted by the American Conservative Union, the head of the Georgian Government stressed the Hungarian people were “lucky to have such a leader in this difficult era”, who he said stood “guarding fundamental values and is truly an exemplary politician, ruler and a striving Christian man”. 

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In remarks on the Conference launched in 1974, the PM noted the next year marked its 50th anniversary and would commemorate the inaugural session where the “legendary [United States] President Ronald Reagan delivered his speech”. 

For half a century, the movement commenced by the American Conservative Union has been fighting for the strengthening of traditional, supreme values in the world. Indeed, it was exciting for me to be invited to such an important forum. I am very grateful to the leaders and organisers of the Conference for this opportunity”, the PM said. 

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Garibashvili noted the event marked a “unity of nations in today's most challenging time”, and offered opportunities to discuss values that “underpin this unity”.

The Conference opening also involved keynote addresses by Miklós Szánthó, the Director General of Hungary’s Center for Fundamental Rights, Matt Schlapp, the Chairman of the ACU, and the Hungarian PM. 

The event’s agenda involves talks on conservative topics ranging from religion to current cultural discourse and family.