PM: Georgia’s Main Challenges Are Russian Occupation and Poverty

Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze says that Russian occupation and poverty still remain Georgia’s two main challenges.

The PM made the statement before the governmental session, while summing up 2018 year.

“We will use all platforms together with our friendly states to make further progress in de-occupation issues. Unfortunately, Russia has not yet fulfilled its 2008 obligations and has not withdrawn troops from Georgian territories,” he said.

Mamuka Bakhtadze spoke about the peace initiative Step for Better Future.

“Our response is just peace and development. We will make the maximum effort and focus together with the international community in order to start the implementation of our peace initiative Steps for Better Future as soon as possible,” he added.

The PM noted that next year’s budget will be up to GEL 13 billion, adding everything will be done to improve the economic situation of the population.

“This resource will be efficiently used to bring our population a positive economic outcome as soon as possible in order to mitigate the problems they face in everyday life,” he added.

Bakhtadze said that poverty rate reduction is going to be an absolute priority for the next two years and the government will try to maximally implement reforms that will contribute to more inclusive growth in Georgia.

"These reforms will allow us to change the economic model of the country's general development and make it oriented on inclusive growth, which will positively affect every citizen and help us overcome poverty as much as possible,” he stated.

By Thea Morrison