2021-02-12
Effective and efficient coordination between the Government and local authorities is the role of the State Representative, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia told the press today.
According to the Head of Government, his visit to West Georgia, notably to Gria and Samegrelo, is especially important in light of the changes among the ranks of State Representatives, something valued highly by the Government.
"Today, we presented new State Representative in Guria. And Samegrelo's State Representative is well known to you from his work in this capacity. The functions of State Representatives and their coordinating role between local authorities and the Government is particularly important. Their effective performance will decide the fate of many projects in the region. We are facing quite serious challenges, fighting against the pandemic and about to launch vaccination, and here as well their role is key. They must be involved directly in preparation for upcoming economic revival. Thus, it is vital for medium-sized businesses, especially in the regions, to be supported prudently and precisely. That will be an important part of our economic recovery plan, in which the local level, and State Representatives, will play an important role. Effective and efficient coordination between the Government and local authorities is the role of the State Representative. And, in terms of regional management, they will have a new leader, Konstantine Ananiashvili, and I am confident that together they will be able to solve any problem," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Another question to the Head of Government involved vaccination. According to Giorgi Gakharia, Georgia will import a vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization and to be supplied in the nearest weeks. The process of vaccination proper will start with target groups in line with the national vaccination plan approved by the Government.
The goal is to vaccinate at least 60% of Georgia's population by the end of this year, the Prime Minister added, because vaccination is of vital importance in both healthcare and economic terms.
"We must understand that, alongside health-related aspects, vaccination is of crucial importance for the economy. Through our effective cooperation with international platforms-as you know, we are a member of the COVAX platform-and direct bilateral negotiations, Georgia will, in the nearest future, have a quality vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization," Giorgi Gakharia said.
The Head of Government, in reply to a question about Nika Melia's refusal to pay his court-ordered bond, pointed out that it is a court decision and a matter of choice of a particular person.
"This is nothing but plain populism. The state has no role in this case. This is about the judiciary, a court decision, and it is now up to a concrete person to take a step in one direction or keep pushing political hooliganism. It is his choice, after all! Georgian Dream or the Prosecutor's Office have nothing to do with this issue. It is a restrictive measure, bail that can keep a person outside bars, so that he can live a normal life. And it is up to him. For me, it is nothing but an attempt to use cheap, aggressive rhetoric and political hooliganism to score points. Nothing else. It is ridiculous," the Prime Minister stated.
The Prime Minister of Georgia also answered a question about the Tskhinvali occupation regime's extension of Georgian citizen Zaza Gaklheladze's detention by 12 years.
According to the Head of Government, it is an absolutely illegal decision on the part of the occupation forces.
"I had intensive personal communication and negotiations with our strategic partners and capitals representing them. We will take concrete steps in the nearest future to help our citizen," the Prime Minister said.
Journalists also asked a question about the duration of the Prime Minister's stay in office.
"I have been hearing these questions for 18 months now: When are you leaving? Today, tomorrow, or yesterday? Can't you see I am still here? Theis is just rumors that have grown tiresome. Do you have to me every time I meet with the press, whether or not I am planning to resign? It is a joke, all this," Giorgi Gakharia said.
The Prime Minister also answered a question about an alleged confrontation between him and Irakli Kobakhidze.
According to the Head of Government, some media outlets need just an excuse to spread rumors: Whether or not Giorgi Gakharia attended the Political Council's last meeting.
"Irakli Kobakhidze is an honorable leader of Georgian Dream and my good friend, so these speculations and rumors must end. We are serving the same cause together. Apparently, some media outlets need just an excuse to spread rumors: Whether or not Giorgi Gakharia attended the Political Council's last meeting. I may or may not attend meetings of the Political Council, depending solely on my schedule. Sometimes the Political Council convenes at short notice, but my daily schedule is planned way in advance. There is much to do in the country. Let me put it simply. For a whole week now, I have trying to do my best to visit schools, because the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on our children. They must return to classrooms as soon as possible to receive normal education. On the other hand, their families, ordinary Georgian households, are struggling to make a living-we are in the middle of an economic crisis. And we must work together to overcome it and yet the media have only one question in mind: Who attended and who did not the Political Council's meeting. I cannot attend because all these issues must be solved. I may attend one meeting but skip another," the Prime Minister emphasized.
According to the Head of Government, polarization of this magnitude, and boycotting and political hooliganism, must end once and for all.
"I may be able to attend one meeting but skip another. There is another thing worth noting. Polarization of this magnitude and boycotting and political hooliganism-things like "I will pay my bond, but I may not"-must end once and for all, because the country is facing serious economic, security, and lately healthcare challenges, and it is impossible for one political force to deal with these problems on its own. This political polarization and hooliganism, and such senseless actions, eventually pose a threat to the country's security, because healthcare and economic issues, and the problem of returning our children to classrooms, involve security problems, problems of tomorrow, and instead of gossiping and hurling hooligan-style threats at one another, like the one about paying or not paying one's bond, we should better fathom the meaning of the mandate granted to us by our citizens in elections. We must enter where politics is made, and we must join forces to work for our country. I enjoy full support from my team, and this support gives me the strength in effectively solving the problems above. You may think that I do not feel it. And I view it as gossiping. But I have full support from my team, and so does Irakli Kobakhidze as Party Chairman enjoy my and the entire executive branch's support. So let it go," the Head of Government stated.
The Prime Minister of Georgia also answered a question about opposition members' calls to disobey the regulations enforced throughout the pandemic.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, this is political hooliganism perpetrated by those unable to create normal political content and engage in meaningful debates.
"Some are engaged in political hooliganism in Georgia, others from abroad, but that does not matter. Our citizens see and evaluate it all. Our citizens know well who cares about them and what caring for people stands for. And all that was reflected in the elections. Political parties with enormous ambitions barely garnered more than 2 or 3%," Giorgi Gakharia said.
According to the Head of Government, the polarization in the political field threatens the country's future and security.
"The biggest problem is that we are wasting time. Unfortunately, the current polarization in the political field poses a problem to the country's future and security. Everyone must make an extra effort and share the responsibility, and if they are foolish enough not share the responsibility, they should at least pay attention to those who voted for them. They must enter and be where politics is made, not in the streets," the Prime Minister stated.
Press Service of the Government Administration