The 2006 Summary Meeting of the Government of Georgia was held on 30 December. President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili presided over the Meeting:
"I'd like to discuss and sum up the achievements of 2006.
Tbilisi and not only Tbilisi but also Batumi, most of Samegrelo, Rustavi and Kutaisi have become a city of light, power transmission lines were repaired.
The construction of the first motorway since the independence has been completed, this year we'll cover Kaspi territory, too.
The Patriot's Camp Program has been fulfilled. Next year, we'll make fixed camps of a much better quality.
A few metro stations have been renovated in Tbilisi. We have started replacing the cars, which means creating new jobs. In 2008, we'll complete the replacement of the entire fleet.
The vulnerable dining hall program has performed well.
Pensions have doubled.
Next year, when the budget so allows, pensions in Georgia will increased by merit.
I'd like to thank the municipal service for building some 140 man-made cover stadiums just in Tbilisi. In Samtredia we have opened a nice swimming pool and have started the construction of a sports palace in Zugdidi and a nice sports complex in Kutaisi.
At the beginning of the year, we had not expected a wine embargo. In fact, we had planned to open new wineries at the beginning of the year. When the embargo was imposed, all feared that even the old wineries would be closed down. However, the Georgian business demonstrated solidarity in this respect.
The construction of Tbilisi Airport has been nearly completed. Batumi Airport construction will take two more months to complete.
Dozens of schools have been repaired in Georgia. Overall, the school rehabilitation program has been fulfilled.
The professional retraining program was fulfilled much better that we had expected. As a result, many have found a job.
Vocational school buildings are ready with the assistance from the Ministry of Education. We'll put them all into operation in spring.
The tractor and agrarian machinery purchase program has been successfully fulfilled. There has been a success in the implementation of citrus sale program as well. Tow new fruit processing plants have been launched.
We are conducting the amelioration system rehabilitation works in Kakheti. Enguty HPP repair has also been completed.
We have completed the setup of a modern military base in Senaki. We started and will complete the construction of a military base in Gori, too.
To say nothing about the maintenance of cultural monuments.
A new heat power station has been opened in Georgia. For the first time since independence we have had new gas turbines.
The construction of new hotels has been launched.
Gori and Zugdidi Hospitals have been built. The Republican Hospital is also being rehabilitated. An emergency assistance center has been built and hundreds of outpatient clinics have been renovated.
The Inturist Hotel in Batumi is a symbolic, nice project.
The Dolfin Center has remained undone but instead we repaired Pioneers' Park.
We fulfilled the roads program by one hundred percent.
We are not the government that gives empty promises. We are talking about next fulfillments.
There is no point in drawing up a calendar of pledges as there is no calendar that can hold the plans we have for the next year. Georgia has not seen the revival of such a scale for many years. This is a decisive year for our country.
In this respect, we have laid a foundation to an important tradition. Our partners in Russia imposed embargo to inflict a serious damage to our economy but have failed in reaching the core goal to destroy the Georgian economy. This year's economic growth figure is close to 10%. This is as much as it was last year. Our economic indicators will increase more dramatically next year. We'll become a rapidly developing country. In this respect, I'd like to tell you that I am satisfied with the work of the Government. The last agreement with Turkey and Azerbaijan is important and historic.
As soon as the consequences of the accident are prevented, Georgia stands a chance to switch to an alternative gas. This is a historic and geopolitical change in terms of enhancing the energy security of Georgia.
We are continuing work on the energy supply system of Georgia. I'd like to approve the performance of other ministries as well.
I wish we would have a year of better revival and better results next year.
Next year, we'll spend much more on the education system, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism projects, military bases, penitentiary system, and social projects.
Happy New Year to all!
Let's stand united in taking care of our country!
Press Center of the Administration of the President of Georgia