Georgian PM says Gov’t wants to “quickly” make progress towards European integration with “dignity”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the country’s Government wanted to make progress “as quickly as possible” towards European integration and acting with “dignity” was important for this objective.

Kobakhidze said “any result” could be achieved if there was a “dignified attitude” towards the country and its sovereignty.

As for relations in general, we are optimistic. There were difficulties, you remember, for example, from 2020, but in the end it all ended with us getting the candidate status. I am sure all the difficulties can be overcome, and as we have received the candidate status of European Union and accession talks of bloc with Georgia will be opened in the near future, among which it is important to protect and strengthen sovereignty”, he added.

He noted if the country “lost” its sovereignty, it would be impossible to “properly care about the achievement of national goals”, added Georgia could protect its sovereignty despite challenges, adding the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence served that purpose.

The country has a lot of challenges and it is absolutely understandable that we are a small country with a small population - 3.7 million, the economy is still weak, at about $8,200 per capita, under such circumstances, of course, the challenges are serious”, the PM said.

However, I would like to remind you that our country has been in this situation for 3 thousand years and our country has always been at the crossroads of empires, although in the end Georgia always managed to maintain its sovereignty and independence”, he added.

The official said the Georgian economy also faced challenges, but constantly was growing.

Kobakhidze further pointed out that Georgia’s nominal economy in dollars had “roughly doubled” in the last three years and the state had a “good growth rate” this year, with 7.8 percent economic growth in the first quarter, adding the economic growth also “helped to strengthen” the country’s foreign and political positions.