Georgian PM Kobakhidze says “progress, development of country is impossible without peace”

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Head of the ruling Georgian Dream party's election staff and the Prime Minister of Georgia on Tuesday said the “progress and development of the country is impossible without peace”, adding the Government of the ruling Georgian Dream party was the “only administration after the restoration of independence, during which Georgia did not have a war”. 

Speaking at an election campaign event in Zugdidi in western Georgia, Kobakhidze stated  “even now, the victory” of the GD was the “only guarantee” that the country would “maintain peace and a bright future” for the Georgian people.

“Our Georgian dream is to unite Georgia. A dividing line is located a few kilometres from Zugdidi, which artificially separates us from our historical region - Abkhazia. The dividing line artificially separates us from people, including our Abkhaz brothers and sisters who live beyond Enguri [river]. I am sure that the time will soon come when all artificial obstacles will be removed and Georgians and Abkhazians will live together in a united and indivisible Georgian state, together we will create a bright future for Georgia and become a member of the European Union”, he added. 

Kobakhidze noted the general elections scheduled on October 26  were “crucial” for Georgia, adding “we must stand together once again to protect peace, dignity and prosperity for our country”.

He also highlighted a series of accomplishments, adding this was “only an incomplete list” of the achievements and four-year plans of his Government:

• We have boosted the country's economy from ₾28 billion ($10.30bln) to ₾90 billion ($33.09bln), and our programme aims to increase it to ₾130 billion by 2028; 
• The country’s budget was increased from ₾8.5 billion ($3.13bln) [in 2012], to ₾27.8 billion ($10.22bln) this year, while it is projected to exceed ₾40 billion ($14.71bln) by 2028;
• We have halved unemployment. In the past 2.5 years, 170,000 new jobs have been created in the country, and an additional 200,000 new jobs will be created by 2028;
• Average salaries increased from ₾712.5 ($261.98) in 2012 to ₾2,005 ($737.22) this year. According to our plan, the amount will increase to ₾3,500 ($1,287) by 2028;
• Since 2012, 680,000 of our fellow citizens have lifted themselves out of poverty. By 2028, an additional 300,000 people are projected to escape poverty, reducing the rate to below four percent;
• Only in the past 2.5 years, we have attracted $5 billion in foreign direct investments. In the next four years, we aim to attract $9 billion in FDI;
• Before 2012, only 68 km of highways were built. However, after 2012, 300 km of highways were constructed in the country. The construction of the east-west highway will be completed next year, which will significantly reduce travel time from Samegrelo and Svaneti to other regions and the capital. A new highway will also be built from Teklati to Anaklia, which will serve the Anaklia port and the region as well.
• With the support of the state, 700 new enterprises were created, and 800 enterprises were expanded. Over the next four years, the Government will continue to support businesses through various programmes, aiming to create hundreds of new enterprises and 70,000 jobs;
• With the support of the state, agricultural production doubled after 2012. Over the next four years, a total of ₾3 billion ($1.10bln) will be allocated from the state budget for the development of agriculture and the strengthening of the Georgian countryside; For comparison, about ten times less had been allocated until 2012. 
• Tourism is rapidly growing, which is particularly important for Adjara. Our goal is to exceed 11 million visitors and generate over $6.4 billion in tourism revenue by 2028;
• The construction of a new terminal at Mestia Airport is set to begin.
• In 2030, Georgia's electricity production will triple compared to 2012, making the country fully self-sufficient in electricity;  
• Over ₾2 billion ($740mln) will be allocated for the Municipal l Development Fund, ₾400 million ($147.08mln) for the rural support programme, ₾155 million ($56.99mln) for the Mountain Fund, and ₾200 million ($73.54mln) for the Municipal Transport Programme;
• Since 2012, we have increased municipal budgets three times, and this growth will continue rapidly in the following years;
• Since 2012, the rate of gasification has tripled, and by next year, 93 percent of the population will have access to natural gas. State investments in water supply have increased 15-fold. Next year, all cities in the country will have access to 24-hour water supply;
• In public services, the Government head contrasted the number of 12 Public Service Halls across the country with the opening of 109 more venues since the year, with plans to open 12 more between 2024-2025 to complete the project of their expansion;
• Since 2012, we have increased education funding four times. We made kindergartens completely free and introduced a programme for free textbooks. We have completed the construction or rehabilitation of 836 kindergartens across the country and have started the programme for the construction or rehabilitation of 885 kindergartens. Additionally, we have built 174 schools and completed the rehabilitation of over 1,000 schools. In the next four years, we plan to complete the construction and rehabilitation of more than 500 schools;
• Sports funding has increased fourfold, and the results are evident. Sports infrastructure has significantly improved that has positively reflected athletic achievements as well. In the coming years, we are launching a [₾] 2 billion ($728 mln) programme to further develop sports infrastructure.
• I would like to remind you that our Government has implemented a Universal Healthcare Programme and other targeted initiatives. The country's social budget and healthcare financing have increased fourfold. As a result, financial access to healthcare has improved significantly, with average life expectancy rising from 72 to 75 years. The number of pensioners has increased by 155,000, and the social protection package for the population has been expanded fivefold. Pensions have been increased threefold. Starting from January 1, the pension for pensioners under the age of 70 will be ₾350 ($128.69), and for pensioners over 70 it will be ₾450 GEL. Additionally, pensions for pensioners living in highland settlements will increase to 420 and 540 ($165.46). In total 35,000 internally displaced families have received decent housing, and after the completion of current projects, an additional 6,000 IDP families will receive housing. Today, we commenced the construction of residential buildings for 1,700 internally displaced families in Zugdidi, which will be completed by 2027.

Kobakhidze also highlighted the role of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the GD party, in the “democratic transition” of rule in 2012, saying “all substantial changes Georgia has achieved in the areas of democracy, human rights, economy, European integration, security and many others, are owing to Ivanishvili”.

The PM labelled the upcoming elections as a “referendum”, and emphasised that in 11 days people will “finally determine the fate of our country”. 

He also added “we must all together finally reject war and choose peace, deny immoral propaganda and choose traditional values, reject the dark past and choose a bright, European future for our country”.