Georgian PM: Gov’t has “clearly defined course” written in Constitution

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday told local media TV hosts the country had a “clearly defined course” which was “not only defined at the general level, but is directly written in the Constitution”.

Kobakhidze said his Government had introduced a norm into the country’s Constitution in 2017, that defines integration into the European Union and NATO as a “constitutional objective” of the Government.

We have heard a lot of speculations regarding the country's foreign policy in recent periods. The initiated law [domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence] is associated with the change of the foreign course, which is gross speculation, manipulation”, he said.

The PM noted “all tangible results” on the path of European integration had been achieved under the Government of the ruling Georgian Dream party, such as signing of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, Association Agreement with the EU in 2014, Visa Liberalisation signed in 2017 and receiving the EU membership candidate status in December.

He also pointed out one of the reasons for speculation was ruling Georgian Dream party’s “course taken towards Russia”.

I want to simply remind you that in 2004-2012 Russia expanded its influence in Georgia, including occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territories and recognised so-called independence of occupied regions [Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia)] of Georgia. You know that many strategic objects were transferred to the Russian Federation under the former [the opposition United National Movement party] Government”, he added.

The official noted the ruling GD party was the “first” Government under which the Russian Government had not made “territorial advancement” and “had not sold” strategic facilities to relevant companies of Russia.

If pro-Russian candidates and parties had about 20 percent in the elections during the coming of the [ruling] Government, today their results are 1-2 percent. We have won principal processes against Russia in both the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights”, he emphasised.

The official also added the county had “zero progress” in direction of European integration under the former government of United National Movement party.

Kobakhidze also said his office had “qualitative achievements” on the path of European integration and “zero percent expansion of any influence on the part of the Russian Federation”, and noted these were “concrete results and steps” of the current Government.

The Pm further pointed out that after war started in Ukraine, the Georgian Government  joined more than 600 international acts, which provided support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and condemnation of Russia’s military aggression.