PM: Georgia Is Closer to EU and NATO than Ever
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated that the country is closer to the European Union and NATO than ever before, adding it is the result of the government’s pragmatic policy since 2012.
The PM made the statement at the 5th Congress of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, held in Mtatsminda, Tbilisi, on May 11.
“The achieved result encourages us to be even more ambitious in our plans for the future. The New Concept of the Roadmap for Georgia’s EU Integration, with its slogan reading More Integration for More Opportunities, has already been developed. It seeks to make the fullest possible use of the existing mechanisms of cooperation with the EU, and the opportunities found beyond the Association Agreement, to support Georgia in its preparations for further integration into the EU,” he stated.
Kvirikashvili emphasized the visa liberalization agreement with the EU enabling Georgian citizens to enjoy free movement in their countries.
“This free movement offers our citizens numerous opportunities in terms of cementing cultural and value-based closeness to Europe, along with economic prospects,” he noted.
According to the PM, the process of NATO integration has also been successful, and he expressed hope that progress in Georgia-NATO relations will be duly emphasized at the NATO Warsaw Summit in July.
Moreover, Kvirikashvili pointed out that relations with Georgia’s main strategic ally, the United States of America, are growing increasingly stronger.
“We enjoy firm support from our American friends at every level,” he added.
During his speech, the PM noted that Georgia’s main challenge is its two breakaway regions – Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
“Our policy towards breakaway Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, including the latest peace initiatives, has huge international support. Our friends and strategic partners in the West openly and decisively support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity from major international podiums. They also share and support our policy on Russia. There is no growth, development, and progress without peace and stability, which is why I believe ensuring peace and stability in the country to be one of our main achievement,” The Prime Minister stated.
Kvirikashvili also focused on the economic developments in the country, saying as a result of the FTAs with the EU and China, Georgian-made products have entered the world’s largest markets.
“Our major challenge today lies in achieving rapid economic advancement. This purpose is backed up by ongoing large infrastructural projects designed to eliminate the decades-long inequality between the capital and the regions. The same goal is pursued by the adoption of tax cuts for businesses, work toward equipping our citizens with modern knowledge suitable for market economy, and the flexible governance system,” he said.
See the PM's FULL SPEECH below.
By Thea Morrison
Speech by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili
Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I welcome our guests, representatives of the Government, the legislative body, and the diplomatic corps!
I welcome the members of the Party’s Political Council!
I welcome the convention’s delegates!
I welcome the founder of Georgian Dream, Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili, who has agreed to lead our party at this
important stage in the development of our country, for which I thank him on behalf of the entire Georgian
Dream.
We, as the ruling force, feel especially responsible to the country, and we believe that the party, which enjoys
a majority at every level of state governance—executive, local, or legislative branches of government—needs
greater strength and a fresh approach. It is necessary for the Georgian Dream party to develop into strong
institution with long-term prospects, which will work at full throttle throughout the cycle between
elections, focusing on constant development. It is especially important in light of the recent constitutional
amendments.
Since coming to power, our political team, Georgian Dream—Democratic Georgia, has overcome numerous
difficulties. This road has not been easy. Our team took on a grievous legacy and enormous challenges,
succeeding in dealing with scores of problems, though no one thinks of course that all difficulties are behind
and we can be complacent.
Friends,
One thing I can say with all assuredness is that every one of us can boldly look our people in the eye, because
our every step serves the purpose of bettering their lives. To our team and me personally, as the Party’s
Chairman and the country’s Prime Minister, our every decision has served, serves and will continue to serve
Georgia’s progress.
Since 2012, our team under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s leadership at first, then under Irakli Garibashvili’s
leadership, and under my leadership since 2016, has always given top priority to the protection of all
fundamental human rights. Freedom of speech and expression, judiciary and media freedom, right to life
and property -- the staunch protection of these fundamental values of a democratic state has been and
remains our government’s greatest achievement.
As a result of our pragmatic and correct foreign policy, a safe and stable environment has been created in
Georgia, and today our country is closer than ever to the European Union and NATO. The achieved result
encourages us further to be even more ambitious in our plans for the future. The New Concept of the
Roadmap for Georgia’s EU Integration, with its slogan reading More Integration for More Opportunities, has
already been developed. The new concept seeks to make the fullest possible use of the existing mechanisms
of cooperation with the EU, and the opportunities found beyond the Association Agreement, to support
Georgia in its preparations for further integration into the EU.
I absolutely must single out the visa liberalization agreement with the EU enabling Georgian citizens to enjoy
free movement in the EU countries. This free movement offers our citizens numerous opportunities in terms
of cementing cultural and value-based closeness to Europe, along with economic prospects.
The process of NATO integration has been successful. As you know, the NATO Warsaw Summit will be
held in July, during which, I am convinced, the crucially important progress in Georgia-NATO relations will
be duly emphasized.
Our relations with our main strategic ally, the United States of America, are growing increasingly stronger.
We enjoy firm support from our American friends at every level.
The protection of our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in light of the occupation of two of our
regions is our main challenge, and in this regard Georgia enjoys full support from the international
community.
Our policy on Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region, including the latest peace initiatives, without
exaggeration have huge international support. Our friends and strategic partners in the West openly and
decisively support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity from major international podiums. They
also share and support our policy on Russia.
There is no growth, development, and progress without peace and stability, which is why I believe ensuring
peace and stability in the country to be one of our main achievements. We live in a region that offers
opportunities and poses challenges at the same time. This is why pragmatic foreign policy is that unique tool
which makes it possible to tackle existing challenges, on one hand, and to make use of all the manifold
benefits in our region, on the other.
We are actively working on the country’s economic empowerment agenda. As a result of the FTAs with the
EU and China, Georgian-made products have entered the world’s largest markets. The dynamic development
of tourism has been unprecedented, significantly boosting the country’s economic progress.
Our major challenge today lies in achieving rapid economic advancement. This purpose is backed up by
ongoing large infrastructural projects designed to eliminate the decades-long inequality between the capital
and the regions. The same goal is pursued by the adoption of tax cuts for businesses, work toward equipping
our citizens with modern knowledge suitable for market economy, and the flexible governance system. It
was with this very platform that our party won the 2016 Parliamentary elections and the 2017 Municipal
elections, and this platform guides our team in its work. We know that it will take us more effort and higher
pace to even faster tackle the challenges known as unemployment and poverty.
The only way to defeat poverty is to create jobs and employ our citizens. Jobs are created by business, and
this is where the solution to this problem lies, which is why I am motivated, and we are doing everything,
to provide business with a healthy, friendly and competitive, safe and stable environment, so that startups
may be motivated and the entrepreneurial spirit may be raised among youth.
I strongly believe that, with consistent steps and joint efforts, we will overcome the challenges that we are
facing and the country will continue its progress.
Friends,
Today’s convention will elect its new chairman. Given Bidzina Ivanishvili’s authority and public trust in
him, I am convinced that our party, Georgian Dream—Democratic Georgia, will take on and overcome
today’s challenges with renewed vigor.
I would like to wish success to Mr. Ivanishvili and every member of Georgian Dream in the great cause of
serving the country and the people.
Thank you for your attention!