2016-09-06
We regard the visa-free travel opportunity for our citizens as a yet another specific outcome of the Association Agreement, - the Prime Minister of Georgia stated at the international conference - "Europe's Changing Geostrategic Landscape after the Warsaw Summit".
Discussion panel held within the frames of the conference was moderated by the Senior Director for Human Rights and Democracy of the McCain Institute David Kramer. American analyst was interested in the Prime Minister's opinion on the progress achieved in terms of the EU visa liberalization process.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili considers that introduction of visa-free regime before the parliamentary elections is crucial in terms of instigating pro-Western attitudes among the society and precluding anti-European forces from continuing their rhetoric.
"After signing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement, introduction of visa-free travel for the Georgian nationals carries particular significance, since it will be added to the Agreement and complete it. Currently, small entrepreneurs find it difficult to travel to Europe and hence, their activities are hampered. Therefore, we regard visa-free travel for the Georgian nationals as one more specific outcome within the frames of the EU Association Agreement. We believe that Georgia has performed all prerequisites and criteria and we deserve visa-free travel. I hope that visa liberalization will be introduced even before the date anticipated by Commissioner Hahn. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the LIBE Committee of the European Parliament that gave the green light to the further discussions on the visa-free travel for Georgian citizens before the full introduction of the suspension mechanism. On the other hand, this is the subject of further discussion. For the purpose of instigating pro-Western aspirations within the Georgian society, tangible result shall be achieved prior to elections scheduled on October 8. Believe me, this statement is not made to promote the interests of the political party. This is crucial in terms of encouraging pro-western aspirations and prevention of abuse of this temporary delay by anti-European forces in their campaign," - Prime Minister noted.
The head of the Government elaborated on the challenges facing Georgia and the region as a whole. According to hi, Georgia is a country that is interested in stable and democratic development of the region. Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized the conditions in the occupied territories of Georgia and indicated that Russia has a great impact on the de facto governments of occupied Abkhazia and so called South Ossetia.
"Russia exercises a great influence on the de facto governments of occupied Abkhazia and so called South Ossetia. A few months ago Georgian national was killed near the occupation line. The video camera captured the image of the perpetrator of crime and he is still free. Of course we can observe the negative impact of these developments on the image of the Government as well as on the image of the ruling party. Ethnic Georgians who are pasturing the cattle or collecting firewood are detained near the occupation line - even without crossing it on a daily basis. They keep them in prisons for the several days and this process hampers stabilization of Georgia," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted.
According to the Prime Minister, normalization of the relations with Russia as well as finding the sustainable solution is required. However, compromise on strategic issues, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty is unacceptable in this process.
"When we say "sovereignty", we imply sovereign decision of the Georgian nation, Georgian people to pursue pro-western path. Changing this decision is completely unacceptable, since it reflect the will of Georgian people that has been established in number of times through various surveys and polls. Nevertheless, we wish to make sure that Russia has received our message concerning the fact that we do not wish to be involved in yet another conflict and we would like to avoid further complication of our relations, particularly the one leading to the military actions. Since this may entail deplorable results not only for Georgia, but for the region as a whole. By all means we shall regard the relations in the areas of trade and tourism as means of easing the tension in our interactions - these are the tools that create basis for finding the sustainable solution to the problems - with the involvement of our western partners," - Prime Minister noted.
Prime Minister also addressed the issue of energy security of the country, he discussed the energy related projects of regional importance and outlined the significance of cooperation with Azerbaijan in this area. According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Georgia is rich with energy resources and it can achieve stable energy balance. He dismissed the political allegations concerning the "Gazprom" as speculative statements.
"We will continue cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector. There is no ground for speculation with regard to the establishment of cooperation with Gazprom, since we maintain positive relations with Socar. This is strategically important for Georgia - since we try to maintain said relations. Since, as we have seen in the past, gas provided by Gazprom was used for political purposes in number of cases," - Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted.
Prime Minister also addressed current media environment in Georgia and responded to the question concerning the case of TV Company Rustavi 2. According to him, the Government of Georgia spares no effort to ensure free media environment and preclude intervention in the editorial policy.
"We put particular emphasis on ensuring free media space. Anyone can notice the changes in the media space and compare the current situation with the one that was before. Last year we have switched to the digital broadcasting system and pursuant to the current legislation, a new TV channel can be established in 10 days. As for the Rustavi 2, it has two dimensions. Namely, the first dimension is related to the right of ownership and we cannot interfere with the court proceeding. Another dimension is related to the freedom of media. I have made number of supporting statements with regard to the said channel, including in the capacities of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. We have offered them to create a media Council. If anyone is interested in preserving Rustavi 2 the way it is today, it is the Government in the first place," - Prime Minister noted.
The head of the Government of Georgia addressed the future four years' plans. According to him, the Government reform plan includes rapid development of the country in the various important directions, including through introducing economic reforms, reforming education system, fundamental change of the governance system and acceleration of the infrastructural projects.
Prime Minister's Press Office