2019-12-11

"I wish to pledge with full responsibility that attention towards highlands, development of high terrain regions and highlanders will increase to make sure that we deliver upon our positive obligation and create decent living conditions for highlanders to live a decent life with pride and develop their households, raise their children in highlands" stated Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia at an event marking the Day of Highlands.

In the opinion of the Head of Government of Georgia, highlands have had a tremendous importance in the history, culture and identity of Georgia.

"I take great honor in having the opportunity of congratulating the Day of Highlands to you all. Highlands have had a tremendous importance in the history, culture and identity of Georgia. Almost everything in our culture is related to highlands and highlanders. Hospitality, along with many other qualities of national character have made us survive, however today the most important of all for the Government of Georgia is to make sure that highlanders get decent living conditions in high terrain regions. That is why, Georgian authorities have decided to pass a Law on Development of Highlands, created a National Council of Highlands and established a Fund for Development of Highlands" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, attention towards highlands will double and high terrain regions should become sustainable, have their own economy, incorporate companies that will render services to the entire country and gain export potential.

"We have this opportunity and should never forget what we know about the allure of highlands being a great power in attracting visitors. Country and Government of Georgia are doing a lot towards this end. Tourist destinations like Mestia, Kazbegi, Ushguli, Truso should not only be visited by every Georgian, but they should all know what they stand for. We should show them to the entire world. We should expose them to how the Georgian human nature got shaped, how traditions evolved. I wish to congratulate Day of Highlands to highlanders, each of you present here, absent or high up in the mountains. We understand the great stamina it takes to live in a very harsh natural environment all year round. In addition, many of you serve your state as you are safeguarding our borders, which has an additional significance" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, authorities of the country are implementing various initiatives to improve the living standards for highlanders, including the increased pension payments. From January 1, 2020 highlander pensioners aged over 70 will get 263 GEL a month, while 300 GEL from July 1, 2020.

"From January 1, 2020 our merited highlander pensioners aged over 70 will be getting 263 GEL a month, while 300 GEL from July 1, 2020. We understand it pretty well that it is not enough, though we should herewith say a few words about the socially significant support provided to highlanders today, such as subsidized power energy supply in highlands, supplemented wages and salaries for highlander school teachers and healthcare professionals, along with the most important one - financial support for new-born highlanders throughout one full year from birth" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Prime Minister's Press Office