PM Criticizes Opposition Rumors of Gov’t’s Work on Occupation Issues

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has faced down accusations against his government by saying that occupation has always been and still remains the number one issue for the Georgian government.

The government has been accused of dampening the issue of occupation of the breakaway regions. "Not a single minute has passed under our government without this problem being number one on our agenda,” he said, complaining at the "absolutely groundless rumors” spread by the opposition.

The PM highlighted that the occupation was in fact the main topic of discussion during his meeting with the US Vice President.

“[I told Mike Pence]: ‘Mr. Vice President, do not believe any poll that shows that the occupation or the issue of territorial integrity is of secondary, tertiary, or lower priority. No matter what happens in Georgia, or what sort of success we achieve, this will remain the number one issue in the minds of our people’”.

Kvirikashvili also highlighted that 135 Georgian villages were lost during the occupation, not during the creeping annexation, as the opposition has been suggesting.

“The occupation is a difficult issue that my political team inherited when it came into power,” he pointed out. “We will do everything to free our future generation from this heavy legacy”.

"We will take steps that will lead to Georgia’s unity; peacefully and only through negotiations. We will never let anyone, especially those people who have been keeping our country trapped in a vicious circle for 26 years, drag us back. It is hard, but with a clear-headed approach, we will take the necessary steps to resolve this problem”.

Katie Ruth Davies