Georgian PM says “political statements” of President “completely inappropriate”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday called “political statements” by President Salome Zourabichvili “completely inappropriate”, after the latter criticised the Government's recent comments on its international partners.

Kobakhidze made the remark at events marking the 33rd anniversary of the creation of the Georgian Defence Forces, after Zourabichvili said in her comments for the anniversary the Government had accused the "30-year-long partners and allies of being a 'Global War Party' that invites Georgia into adventurism or confrontation".

He told the event - dedicated to the establishment of the National Guard in 1990 - he had “deliberately not mentioned” Zourabichvili’s comments, adding “everyone will answer to God for breaking the oath before the constitution and betraying the country”.

In his interview with Imedi TV on Monday, Kobakhidze called Zourabichvili an “exhausted resource” and alleged she had become “one small bolt in the collective United National Movement” opposition, and adding  her statements had “no value”.

The Government head also called the President “simply a traitor to this” country and claimed she was “directly betraying the national interests” of Georgia.