2017-07-09

We have spoken many times about the occupation being a serious problem. I can say that I am trying to look at the accusations directed at our government without emotion but this is becoming increasingly difficult. Not a single minute has passed under our government without this problem being number one on our agenda. Our opponents spread absolutely groundless rumors among our partners, suggesting that this issue is no longer a priority for us and using their various polls, trying to make it seem like this issue is of secondary or tertiary priority. I can tell you that this was my main topic of discussion during a meeting with the US Vice President, when I stressed - Mr. Vice President do not believe to any poll that shows that occupation or the issue of territorial integrity is of secondary, tertiary, or lower priority.

No matter what happens in Georgia, or what sort of success we achieve, this will remain the number one issue in the minds of our people. These were my words. I want you to know this as this is the truth. Furthermore, I would like to say that the 135 villages were lost during the occupation, rather than the creeping annexation, as a part of the opposition would suggest.

And the occupation is the heavy legacy that our political team inherited when we came to power. We will do everything to free our future generation from this heavy legacy. We will take the steps that will lead to Georgia's unity - peacefully and only through negotiations. We will never let anyone, especially those people - and people never change - who have been keeping our country trapped in a vicious circle for 26 years, to drag us back to the same circle. This will never happen. It is hard, but with a clearheaded approach we will take the steps that will resolve this problem.

Prime Minister's Press Office