2017-03-08
Commenting on his state visit to Italy, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said that Georgia-Italy relations advanced to a new stage.
"It has been a very important visit. We enjoy important political relations with Italy. Georgia's exceptional role in the region was emphasized at numerous meetings. Hundreds of Italian companies attended today's event, and many take great interest in investing in Georgia. Today we signed very important agreements. We certainly hope that this visit will mark the beginning of a new phase. Moreover, we have been assured that our relations will advance to a strategic level," the Prime Minister stated.
In his replies to questions from the press, he once again congratulated Georgian citizens on the publication of the decision on visa waiver for Georgia in the official EU magazine.
"Once again, I congratulate everyone on this truly great achievement. I urge our citizens to cherish this achievement because it is also an immense responsibility to be worthy of enjoying this right, especially at the initial stage. This means avoiding visa overstay and duly upholding our country's reputation," the Prime Minister pointed out.
According to the Prime Minister's comment on the address by European MPs, freedom of speech is protected in Georgia, as evidenced by numerous international reports.
"We value our relations with the European Parliament. I am aware of the content of their letter, and we have already written a response to be published soon. Freedom of speech in Georgia is in no danger whatsoever. Our actions have proved it over again in recent years. It has been largely recognized that freedom of expression has improved significantly in Georgia. I am sure that our partners' concerns are somewhat exaggerated. I repeat that Georgia has achieved tremendous progress in this direction. We appreciate their views. This controversy will wane soon. Georgia continues its usual course, building a European future, with nothing threatening democratization in Georgia. Our Government guarantees that, and we have proved it repeatedly," Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated.
The Prime Minister also commented on the decision of the ECHR on the Rustavi 2 case. According to Kvirikashvili, this process is about a dispute between two entities, and it will continue in the same vein.
"The process continues as usual. As we have stated repeatedly, it is a dispute between two parties, and it will continue in the same vein. We should see this event for what it is; it is a usual process. Of course, we will continue providing necessary information. Generally, I believe that this issue has been blown out of proportion from the start. I would not pay that much attention to it. It is a normal legal case, and the Ministry of Justice is doing what it is supposed to do. State institutions are working on it, and we and our population have full trust in these institutions, and there can be no gaps in this regard," the Prime Minister told the press.
Prime Minister's Press Office