2015-04-01
"I find it somewhat upsetting when, on one hand, we hear comments on team work, and, on the other, unsubstantiated and unfair criticism of the Government's performance coming from the President, a member of our team," at today's government meeting session, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili commented on the President's annual address.
Irakli Garibashvili emphasized that the ruling party is called to maintain healthy and constitutional relations with all institutions, and that he has always been the initiator of positive developments in the relations with the President. According to the Head of Government, the coalition discussed the issue of the Cabinet attending the President's annual address, and, in light of the amendments to the Constitution of Georgia, decided against having representatives of the executive branch traveling to Kutaisi.
"Our citizens did not elect us to listen to the President's criticism of the Government or my answers to it, which would be a shame. We cannot afford wasting our time on issues that are not important to our citizens. I assume full responsibility and state that the President has never offered us any initiatives or turned to us with questions; all meetings with him have been initiated by me. It was never inquired what the Economic Council does or whether someone was undermining its work. If the President asked, we would explain it all at any level," the Prime Minister stated.
The Head of Government reiterated that the Economic Council and the State Security and Crisis Management Council were established in order to ensure effective coordination between ministries. According to the Prime Minister, similar models have been tested in Israel, Great Britain, and US, and, in certain cases, the same people serve as deputy chairs of both councils.
The Prime Minister deems it unacceptable when the President criticizes ministers appointed as ordinary council members. According to Garibashvili, this assessment is preposterous and contemptuous since councils, similar to government meetings, are chaired by the Prime Minister.
"When it comes to strengthening state institutions, I urge everyone, including the President, to bear in mind that statements of this kind depreciate the work of ministers and important institutions. Council meetings discuss issues beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of individual ministries, requiring collective decision-making," Irakli Garibashvili stated.
According to Head of Government, the Public Defender is the Chair of the Council to ensure greater engagement of business.
According to the Prime Minister's assessment, saying that the Government has dozens of council is immature.
As for the purpose of the State Security and Crisis Management Council, the Head of Georgian Government explained that it was created to work on strategic domestic and foreign policy, defense, stability, and law-and-order issues pertaining to state security, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Government. The detailed duties and responsibilities of the council are set forth in the Law of Georgia on Rules for the Planning and Coordination of National Security Policy, approved by the Georgian Parliament.
According to the Head of Government, both councils are deliberative bodies under the Prime Minister, as the Prime Minister is the Head of the Executive Branch and crisis management falls under his jurisdiction.
As the Head of Government pointed out, a recommendation about a similar deliberative body was issued by strategic partners as early as 2005, under the previous Government, though it was not taken into account at that time.
"In 2008, a total chaos ensued, and there was no coordination between agencies, the Tbilisi Mayor would issue orders, and there were no coordinated actions whatsoever," the Prime Minister said, adding that the State Security and Crisis Management Council was created by the Government with the involvement of the British, US, and Israeli Embassies.
"I do not think that the President is fully aware when the Competition Agency was established and what its purpose is. No one has inquired into this issue, and making unabashed statements about the agency's ineffectiveness is unfair," the Prime Minister said.
As for the speed of EU Association Agreement and NATO substantive package implementation, according to the Head of Government, Georgia has been praised by western partners on numerous occasions, including statements of Alexander Vershbow and James Appathurai who have pointed out that the implementation of Georgia's NATO substantive package proceeds "as planned and at a commendable pace".
The Prime Minister also explained that he personally oversees the field of European integration and receives monthly reports on the work carried out by ministries.
"No one is allowed to interfere with the work of the Government so blatantly. The Parliament and our citizens control the performance of the Government. We are ready to provide detailed information to anyone interested in these issues," the Prime Minister stated.
Irakli Garibashvili also commented on the claims related to the direct dialogue format with Russia, saying that this constructive policy has resulted in the opening of the Russian market, trade and economic relations, and de-escalation in the relations.
According to the Prime Minister, playing on the issue of reforms at the Ministry of Interior and the Office of Chief Prosecutor is also unacceptable. Further to the Prime Minister's instructions, relevant agencies have been working on this issue for months, and the final reform model will be made public in a few weeks.
Prime Minister's Press Office