Georgian PM pledges “peaceful deoccupation” through “pragmatic” policy

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday expressed his belief the Government would succeed in achieving a “peaceful deoccupation” of its Russian-occupied territories and reunification as a result of “correct, pragmatic and results-oriented” policies. 

In his speech at an event dedicated to the eighth anniversary of the establishment of the State Security Service, Garibashvili said the body had carried out “very important reforms and proved to be an “independent and effective system” that “protects the safety of our citizens and strengthens our state”.

Garibashvili further extended his gratitude to the Head of the Service Grigol Liluashvili and its employees, emphasising the importance of the “effective work” of the institution.

Your role is a critical one as you assess, identify, detect, prevent, and counter both internal and external threats. Also, this Service fights terrorism, corruption and, most importantly, I want to repeat, protects the security of our citizens at the highest level”, the Government head told the audience.

Garibashvili stressed the country and the wider region today were facing a “big challenge” on the backdrop of the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, adding “in such a situation, the role of the Government and the State Security Service is to maintain peace and stability”.

The European continent has not seen such a challenge since the end of World War II, and the entire world order in general is facing a very big challenge. In such a situation, the direct role of the [Georgian] state, our Government and this Service is, of course, to maintain peace and stability”, he continued.

The Prime Minister added his Government had maintained “peace, stability”, and “most importantly, we are rapidly growing the country's economy”, despite numerous “provocative and destructive” actions and attempts. 

As you know, the threats are multi-dimensional - we have to deal with hybrid threats, we have to deal with the [Russian] occupation and the risks that accompany the occupation in general. On a daily basis, this Service protects the security of our citizens. At the same time, we have been able to [...] maintain peace and stability despite these challenges that accompany the occupation”, Garibashvili stressed. 

The Government head also said the current times were the “only peaceful period” for the country without conflict or territories being lost, and called the development the result of the Government’s “correct vision and correct policy” that he said “has no alternative”.

“We are well aware that there have been many attempts to use Georgia as a tool against or for the benefit of certain countries. Our main motto is to protect the national interests of our country and not to serve the interests of other countries. I want to emphasise this. Because for the last period - more than 10 years - we have been strengthening the sovereignty of our country, not the sovereignty of other countries. This is very important”, he noted. 

Garibashvili highlighted the “professionalism and patriotism” of the employees of the State Security Service and expressed his belief the country would avoid “geopolitical crises” and “ongoing threats”.

Today, Georgia is developing at a particular pace. We are one of the fastest growing economies in the world today. We are also developing our relationships both in the neighbourhood and with all the leading major economies. It is necessary to pursue our interests. Each step taken by us serves only the interests of our country”, the PM told the audience. 

“I believe that as a result of our correct, pragmatic, results-oriented policy, our country will succeed in peaceful deoccupation and unification of our country. There is no [more significant] national interest in the country today. Our main concern, the main concern of this Service is just that, along with the day-to-day work you do, and the interest of our citizens, all Government agencies and our citizens should be to achieve this great goal”, he concluded.