2019-12-17

"Today, 20 years after the accession, Georgia is chairing the Council of Europe. Hence, we should do our best to use this platform productively and effectively" stated Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia in his address to the Conference of Ambassadors.

Head of Government of Georgia believes that country is given an opportunity to raise crucial issues to top of agenda and demonstrate to all the level of democracy, existing currently in Georgia along with challenges faced routinely.

In his speech, Prime Minister of Georgia expressed gratitude to the diplomatic corps for their performance in 2019.

"Primarily, I wish to thank the diplomatic corps for their performance in 2019. It was a very important year. Achievements were quite plenty and productive, however next year will be extremely important and crucial. Chairmanship at the Council of Europe allows us to raise crucial issues to the top of agenda and demonstrate to all the level of democracy we currently have in Georgia, along with challenges faced on a daily basis" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.

In the opinion of the Head of Government of Georgia, it is important that foreign policy of the country was developed this year in a structured format and respective strategy has been endorsed by the Government and Parliament of Georgia. Prime Minister of Georgia believes that this lets the diplomatic corps to work in a more systemic manner.

"I wish to congratulate the diplomatic corps. This year was the first, when a foreign policy of the country was formed in a structured format and strategy, which was endorsed first by the Government and then by the Parliament of Georgia. It happened for the first time and it allows the diplomatic corps to work in a more systemic, conceptualized and structured manner to achieve the goals aspired by the country" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.

The Head of Government singled out occupation as the country's biggest challenge. According to Giorgi Gakharia, non-recognition policy is and will remain the key direction of our foreign policy until the goal of restoring the country's unity is reached.

"We should never forget cases like Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili's, who crossed the occupation line to fulfil his duties, and now is facing this situation. I would like to thank all diplomats working toward his release. Of course, we should never forget those of our citizens who live on the other side of the occupation line, and all our action, every step, must be taken with them in mind. All results we achieve for our citizens, be it Euro-Atlantic integration or international platforms, demonstrate care for the citizens beyond the occupation line.

Of course, we should never forget cases like Doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili's, who crossed the occupation line to fulfil his duties, and now is facing this situation. I would like to thank all diplomats working toward his release. Such small cases make up the larger picture enabling us to show our European partners what the occupation line is in reality, and what does it mean to live in a country when every citizen along the occupation line faces such problems on a daily basis," the Prime Minister said.

According to the Head of Government, the policy must be down-to-earth and reasonable, and every step must be taken to restore Georgia's unity once and for all.

"In this direction, we must understand that everything is acceptable except war. Our policy must be completely down-to-earth and reasonable, and we must take every step finally to restore our country's unity. We must do it, and we must use every instrument besides war. We have assumed this responsibility, and we must come through with it," Giorgi Gakharia emphasized.

The Head of Government spoke of the country's internal and external challenges, and pointed out jobs, security, and education as the country's major challenges in the coming years. According to Giorgi Gakharia, creating new jobs is an important priority both at home and abroad.
"The economic dimension is of utmost importance. Jobs, security, and education will be our country's major challenges in the coming years. We must understand that creating jobs for our citizens in neighboring countries and at home is the key priority, and the entire diplomatic corps must work to that end. Without reaching these objectives and goals, the country's further development will always be questionable. I repeat, jobs, education, and security. I am confident that our diplomatic corps is up to the task of fulfilling this important function for overcoming these challenges," Giori Gakharia stated.

Euro-Atlantic integration is the country's priority direction, the Prime Minister underlined.

"We prioritize Euro-Atlantic integration, which is enshrined in our Constitution and supported by the vast majority of our population. Of course, we will remain committed to progressing in this direction. We are ready to maintain close ties to the new EU leadership. The US is Georgia's key partner. Our relations are at an all-time high, and never before now have we enjoyed such deep and comprehensive cooperation across a number of directions, from the economic and political dimension to security. That is very important, and the country will always be ready to fulfil its role in the region. We all understand well what it means in the context of the Black Sea, and how pressing are the challenges discerned by the international community and our strategic partner in the Black Sea," Giorgi Gakharia stated.

According to the Prime Minister, emphasis must be placed on cooperation with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

"This direction is very promising, and we must work harder on it. Relations with our neighbors are of course very important to us. As you know, the first visits were held to these countries, which only makes sense. We must do everything, and the ultimate goal must be the honorable return of our citizens to their homeland. Our compatriots abroad make up the most active, successful part of our country. We must do everything to enable them to come back home and serve their country," Giorgi Gakharia said.

Prime Minister's Press Office