Georgian PM highlights development of mountainous areas as "special priority" at public festival in west

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday highlighted the importance of developing the mountainous areas in the country, emphasising it was a "special priority" for the Government.

Speaking at the annual Shuamtoba public festival in the Beshumi resort of the country's Adjara region, Kobakhidze said this commitment of the Government would persist in the future too.

A strong mountain[ous area] means strong Georgia. Therefore, we must do our utmost to take care of our mountainous regions, [...] the high-mountainous Adjara, and we will continue so in the future as well”, he pointed out, the Georgian Government said.

The PM also discussed several projects that serve regional development, including the Khulo-Zarzma 47-km road project connecting Samtskhe-Javakheti and Adjara regions, adding it would be completed by the end of the year.

Tornike Rijvadze, the Head of the regional Government of Adjara, also emphasised the significance of mountainous regions.

The fact that so many people have visited us today is a confirmation that we have great respect for the mountains and their development, the perspective and potential of the highlands of Adjara“, Rijvadze noted.

Shuamtoba is a public festival held annually in Beshumi resort on the first weekend of August and is based on the ancient traditions of the region, celebrated with various cultural, sports and entertainment activities.