The candidate for the position of the Prime Minister of Georgia, said in the Parliament that peaceful restoration of the country’s territorial integrity and “complete overcoming” of poverty were the “2 most important national tasks” of the Government.

“The ongoing occupation of 20% of Georgia’s territory by Russia and 15% of citizens living below the poverty line… We can only be satisfied with our work [...] after we nullify these 2 percentages. Zero percent of occupation and zero percent poverty - this is the Georgian dream, this is the Georgia of our dreams”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.

He hailed the Georgian Dream Government’s efforts for ensuring the country’s “democratic transformation” since taking office in 2012, while slamming the previous United National Movement authorities.

The candidate for the position of the Prime Minister credited Bidzina Ivanishvili, as well as Irakli Garibashvili, for their roles for the country’s “political, economic, and EU integration progress”.

He said Ivanishvili had also steered the country’s economic policy “onto the right path”, leading to the domestic economy increasing from GEL 27 billion to GEL 80 billion “despite facing two global and regional economic crises” post-2012, with the combined budget rising from GEL 8.5 billion to GEL 28.7 bln.

As Kobakhidze said, Georgia had achieved “unprecedented” strides towards European integration since 2012, through signing the 2014 Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area deal with the EU, securing visa-free travel with European states and attaining the candidate status for EU membership in 2023.

Speaking about future plans, the candidate stressed his Government would take actions for the country’s further EU integration, while highlighting “maintenance of national dignity” on the path.

He highlighted “one of the most important” tasks of the Georgian Government’s foreign policy was to resolve the Russia-Georgia conflict and peacefully restore the country’s territorial integrity.

Kobakhidze also said the Government was unlikely to sign agreements similar to the one brokered by the European Council President Charles Michel in 2021.