2016-07-01
In Georgia, we believe in our European future - with these words Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili addressed the guests gathered at the working meeting held within the frames of the 25th session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
Head of the Government indicated that hosting of 25th session of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on the 25th anniversary after regaining independence is a significant event to Georgia and the country prides itself on this opportunity.
Prime Minister elaborated on the achievements of the country and indicated that Georgia is an ambitious state
"Notwithstanding all the success attained throughout the past years, we believe that we have not achieved our ultimate goal. We are not satisfied and consider that a long road is still ahead of us - road of changes, ups and downs, reforms, successes and failures. We have experienced civil war and occupation. However, we are proud to be independent, to be able to define our fate and we are sturdily progressing toward realization of our European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We are leaving behind us the challenges of a Lower Middle Income country and facing up against those of Upper Middle Income Countries. We are leaving behind us the challenges of democratic transition and taking on the task of democratic consolidation," - Prime Minister stated.
Head of the Government indicated that according to the progress report, Georgia registers significant improvements in a wide range of areas - from foreign policy and economic growth to social standards and democracy. These efforts are clearly paying off.
"Over the past three years, Georgia has succeeded in signing and implementing an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement with the European Union. Our relationship with the EU continues to advance, and we look forward to another major step soon, visa liberalisation, having met and surpassed all benchmarks required by the EU.
In parallel, we have significantly expanded our web of free trade deals with neighbouring and strategic countries, and have even become a ‘hub' for the newly revived Silk Road - as, it should be noted, we were in millennia past. Just last week, we signed a Free Trade Agreement with the EFTA countries, and negotiations for a free trade deal with China well be finalized by the end of the year.," - Prime Minister stated.
According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, internally, ambitious institutional reforms have overhauled judicial and electoral procedures, and brought significant improvements to citizens' rights and living conditions. Georgia increasingly aligns with international standards of democracy and rule of law.
"Our steady climb in international rankings has by all measures been outstanding. I guess you can tell that I am very proud of the progress our country has achieved!
And this is true also for economic development. Amidst sustained global economic turbulence and uncertainty, Georgia is part of a new narrative of growth, co-development, and social cohesion.
We have made great strides in making Georgia an attractive place for international business. When investors look at Georgia, they see a country that is stable, welcoming, and on the rise.
In the first quarter of this year, foreign direct investment in Georgia increased by more than 100%. Preliminary assessments for the next quarter are similarly optimistic. We are a hot spot for doing business in the Caucasus, Middle East, Turkey, and even Russia. According to the World Bank, we are one of the easiest countries in which to do business. We have the 9th lowest tax burden in the world. All the major credit rating agencies consider us stable," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated.
According to Prime Minister, he believes that promoting internal economic development goes hand in hand with attracting investment. Hence, government has adopted a Four Point Reform Agenda designed to ensure sustainable development and inclusive growth.
According to the Head of the Government, ongoing reforms cover the tax system and capital markets, as well as the education, health, and pension systems. All of this underscores the Government's commitment to creating a modern, educated, and healthy Georgian workforce that is ready to compete in the global economy.
In sum, Georgia is growing, diversifying, and adding value to its economy; increasing transparency while lowering red tape and taxation; controlling its deficit and ensuring credit ratings improve, year on year. I have no doubt that Georgia is on the right path. This autumn, we will hold parliamentary elections, and I hope that the people of Georgia will confirm, once again, this path towards a stronger democracy and increased prosperity for all.
The elections will also test our success to date. Our last parliamentary vote made history in that it marked the first peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another. This one, I am sure, will make history as the first free and fair parliamentary election," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili indicated.
According to him, reforms have already ensured we have experienced two national votes judged free and fair by our international partners: one Presidential election and one round of municipal elections.
I say this because the structures are in place to ensure this election meets the highest international standards. I say this because our government is 100% committed to ensuring they meet these standards.
This is because what is at stake goes well beyond winning. Much more important are the values free and fair elections represent.
It is crucial that Georgian citizens can go to the polls unencumbered by the fear of any pressure or violence. I do not deny that this has been a dominant feature of past practices in Georgian politics. But not in today's Georgia. There is no place for violent politics in today's Georgia. International monitoring verifies, time and again, that Georgia is no longer a place where what counts is who's counting," - Prime Minister emphasized.
Pursuant to the Prime Minister, Georgia has world-class levels of transparency and freedom of media.
"We organize elections the incumbent can lose. Perhaps more importantly, we have a democracy in which the winner does not take all and the loser does not lose all. The challenge now is to make "a success" an expectation, for each citizen and the world at large," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated.
According to the Prime Minister, Georgia's success story has not come about without serious challenges. Pursuant to him, internal reforms are progressing very well. But Georgia faces serious external security challenges.
"Since 2013, developments in Ukraine have given rise to a new East-West divide. We are moving further away from the vision of a Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security community as enshrined in the Astana Commemorative Declaration.
These challenges undermine the prosperity and democracy of Georgia, and Europe: No democracy can withstand a constant choice between freedom and sovereignty, as the one posed by Russia to states it regards too near to be abroad. No economy can withstand forever a security "country risk." Politically, Russia is not helping to create a "common neighborhood." One thing is clear: Georgia does not face an East-West dilemma, but a freedom or occupation dilemma," - Prime Minister stated.
Prime Minister also indicated that despite this, Georgia has always remained committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict with Russia.
"Regardless of any developments, we seek at all costs to continue the very fragile, but very much needed, confidence building process between Georgians and their brothers and sisters in the occupied territories.
There is an advantage for nations like Georgia that are certain that the road we have ahead is longer than the road we have covered. We do not take our victories for granted, because it is our generation that fought to build this Georgia we live in. We did not inherit this state! The OSCE was born as a response to Europe's division along an East-West axis, before our independence.
The power of the OSCE is that it is encompassing. Communication, transparency, and confidence-building are more important amidst a crisis, not less. At a point in time when Europe reflects on its future and Russia lives through a perennial identity crisis, we all need the time to envisage a common future, as a continent," - Prime Minister stated and added that OSCE was founded to manage the lack of consensus and common vision.
Pursuant to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, for that very reason, today, it is invaluable.
"Fate is not always in our hands. But this does not mean we cannot influence our future. In Georgia, we believe in our European future. In fact, looking at what we have achieved to date despite the security challenges that our region is facing, Georgia has clearly beat the odds. And we plan to keep on going that way," - Prime Minister summarized.