We are working on a bill limiting surrogacy only to Georgian citizens. Such a statement made today the Prime Minister of Georgia.

“Much of our society is concerned about the topic of surrogacy, and it is a more complex issue, because it relates to the safety of our citizens in general, the country’s image, and so on. Recently, we created the Demography Council. One of the troublesome issues emerging at the Demography Council’s meetings involves surrogacy and, generally, problems stemming from it. You know that foreign citizens have turned this matter into a business, and there are no regulations for this matter.

We have studied European examples. Mister Zurab Azarashvili’s Ministry has long been working on this topic. Let me cite a few examples. Surrogacy is banned altogether in such highly developed countries as France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Estonia. And the list goes on. There are countries where it is allowed partially, where hybrid models operate, such as Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.

We have discussed this matter. According to the new bill, we want surrogacy to be allowed only for Georgian citizens. In other words, foreign citizens will no longer be able to place orders, so to speak-I do not want to sound blunt-but direct orders are being placed. It is done online as well. Much advertising is disseminated. And I believe it is very alarming to leave this issue unregulated. At a recent Government meeting, we discussed this topic. Many advertisements are circulating to offer so-called profitable deals to our citizens, women. And then no one knows who takes babies born here out of the country, which couples keep them. Reportedly, same-sex couples may be taking them, and there may be myriad problems.

The Health Ministry has encountered many difficulties. Consequently, it calls for regulation. Zurab Azarashvili’s Ministry will provide additional information. The relevant bill will be referred to the Parliament, and I hope that our Parliament will support our initiative. It must be regulated, and I repeat that it will be allowed only for our citizens, Georgian citizens. I know that there are many childless people who want to have babies, the reason why they turn to this method, the method of surrogacy, so it must be allowed for them, of course, meaning for Georgian citizens in Georgia. Of course, it will spur demography tremendously, on one hand, and-I believe-we must keep this opportunity for our citizens, on the other”, - said Irakli Garibashvili.