Georgian PM: “national interests” Gov’t’s “key guideline, principle, constitution”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday said “national interests” were the “key guideline, principle and constitution” behind policies of his office amidst an “extremely challenging” geopolitical situation.

Addressing the annual Ambassadors’ Conference in Tbilisi, the PM stressed the Georgian authorities had managed to “maintain peace [and] stability and ensure strong economic development” despite the global and regional challenges - an outcome he claimed had “already brought concrete and tangible results” for citizens. 

He also described Georgia as “one of the fastest-developing economies in the world” over the past three years while acknowledging domestic challenges, which he said included the ongoing occupation of Georgian territories by Russia and high level of unemployment and poverty. 

However, I would like to point out that this year, as a result of strong economic development, the level of poverty and unemployment has dropped to a historical low. The national reserves of the country have approached the historical high”, the PM said. 

Noting the world order was “changing every day” and the process seemed “unstoppable for now”, Garibashvili highlighted “in such a situation, a country like Georgia, with its challenges and national interests, has no right not to be guided only by national interests”.

After the Government guided by national interests came to power [in 2012], it started bringing concrete results for our country and people. This is the reality”, he told the Conference. 

Gariabashvili also told the envoys gathered for the event the Georgian Dream authorities were the “only Government” that had ensured “uninterrupted peace” in the country since Georgia regained its independence in 1991.