Ruling party Sec Gen rejects media “speculation” on Vice PM’s “personal communication” with Putin at Forum in China
In his response to the reports, Kaladze said officials from the Government would be “present where we will always pursue the interests of our country”. Photo: Tbilisi City Hall
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Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Mayor of Tbilisi, on Tuesday rejected domestic media “speculation” on the country’s Economy Minister and Vice Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili having had “personal communication” with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in China earlier this month.
In his response to the reports, Kaladze said officials from the Government would be “present where we will always pursue the interests of our country”.
It is a lie that there was personal communication between them [Davitashvili and Putin]. Who is disseminating this information? You spread it. Do not mislead the public and stop telling lies”, he told reporters of domestic media outlets.
Kaladze stressed the One Belt, One Road economic and logistical project, headed by the Chinese President, was “important for us and interesting for the country”.
Therefore, it is necessary to participate in such events. Since the President of Russia was invited to this event, it does not mean that we will reject this project. It is about the future of the country and how our economy should get more benefits. We will do everything for it”, he concluded.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday rejected as “classic manipulation” the media reports that criticised Davitashvili’s participation in the Forum as a case of the Georgian Government’s “bilateral contact” with the Russian leader.