PM Kvirikashvili: Georgia Respects Choice of Turkish People

TBILISI – Georgia’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili has commented on a referendum held in the neighboring Turkey on April 16, saying Georgia respects and welcomes the choice of the Turkish people.

“Turkey is a strategic partner, stable development of which is of importance to Georgia as well as to the region,” Georgian PM said.

We respect & welcome the choice of Turkish people. #Turkey is a strategic partner & its stable development is important to Georgia & region.

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) April 17, 2017

The Sunday’s referendum will expand the powers of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Three of Turkey's biggest cities - Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir - all voted No to the constitutional changes. However, proposed constitutional changes passed with 51.4 percent of the vote according to electoral officials.

The win was met with both celebrations and protests across Turkey.

Erdogan assumed the presidency in 2014 after more than a decade as prime minister.

The new system could enable him to remain in office until 2029.

New presidential and parliamentary elections are due on 3 November 2019.

Thea Morrison