Ruling party head highlights PM’s “extraordinary” speech at Qatar Economic Forum

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday highlighted Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s speech at a panel discussion of the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha by calling the address “extraordinary”.

Earlier during the day Garibashvili addressed the discussion by explaining his Government’s positions against imposing its own sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, said the restoration of direct flights with the country served the interests of trade relations, and said the ruling team would ensure no company or aircraft sanctioned for the invasion would be allowed to operate in Georgia.

The focus was made on the matters related to the priorities of our country, its policy. Among them, the Prime Minister focused on an important topic related to the ongoing war in Ukraine and our relations, including relations between Russia and Georgia”, Kobakhidze said.

The party Chair noted the Georgian Dream policy was “very clear” and “certainly” expressed solidarity with Ukraine and its citizens amid the conflict.

And this is expressed not only in words, but also in specific actions. We support all relevant documents that condemn [Russia’s] military aggression, that support territorial integrity and sovereignty [of Ukraine]”, he continued. 

“In addition, our stance is clear and natural regarding sanctions [against Russia]. We are not imposing sanctions. The logic is simple - we cannot punish our own citizens, our own country. Therefore, there will naturally be no sanctions”, the ruling party official concluded.