Serbian President praises Georgian PM’s work in Word Economic Forum remarks

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Thursday praised Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos by saying the latter “deserves to rule the state for years”. 

In his remarks, Vučić emphasised Georgia's economic progress and noted the importance of its strategic cooperation with China.

I think he deserves to rule the state for years. If you remember, Georgia was a star in the geopolitical sky of Europe. What was the rate of economic growth [in Europe] then? Almost zero, one, 1.5 percent. Today, no one talks about the amazing results achieved by Irakli Garibashvili and his Government. Why? Because one cannot boast of such results in Europe”, Vučić said. 

The Serbian leader claimed Garibashvili’s Government would “soon face questions” of criticism with his office's deepening of relations with China.

“Very soon he will face the same type of questions that I have always faced - why are you doing this? Are you closer to China or the EU? He should work for the good of his country. He cannot work easily and successfully without Chinese investment. In Europe, they need to understand this”, he concluded. 

Garibashvili on Thursday featured in a World Economic Forum panel discussion Diplomatic Dialogue for the Western Balkans, discussing the process of accelerated integration of the countries of the region in the European Union in Davos.