PM: Occupation Remains the Most Important Challenge in Georgia

"2019 was a highly dynamic year for Georgia in terms of challenges and achievements," Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said at the last Government Meeting of 2019 while summarising the achievements the government made this year. 

He noted that occupation remains the most important challenge.

“To date, 20% of Georgia's territories remain occupied and this is an extremely important problem, with a 20% restriction on the development of our human capital. It is extremely important for each of us to remember what obstacles our citizens face on both sides of the occupation line. Fortunately, the illegal detention of the Georgian doctor has ended peacefully, though we all must not forget that our citizens on both sides of the occupation line face these obstacles on a daily basis. Today, unfortunately, freedom of movement is completely restricted for Akhalgori residents and this is a grave humanitarian situation,” the Prime Minister said.

He pointed out that the response of the government and citizens to the occupation is the support of 70% of the population for Euro-Atlantic integration.

"This is a direction that is extremely important in our foreign policy. No matter how many years it takes, every citizen of Georgia will remain committed to it. That is why the most important priority of our government is to achieve full membership of Euro-Atlantic institutions so that our traditions and cultural identity are preserved," he said.

By Ana Dumbadze 

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