2018-09-11
At the Tbilisi International Conference organized by the McCain Institute and the Economic Policy Research Center, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze emphasized in his reply to a question about the seriousness of fake news, namely Russia-inspired and financed fake news, that Russian propaganda is of course a challenge. It is no secret that Russia is trying to influence public opinion about Georgia's aspirations to join NATO and the EU.
According to the Head of Government, these attempts are futile, and they will never be successful.
"It is not a political decision for us to become a part of the EU and NATO, but a value-based decision. But we have to be very careful. That is why we are working very closely with our friends to fight Russian propaganda. The best answer against these challenges is again economic policy-we have to reduce and eliminate poverty. That is the best answer to such challenges. Unfortunately, the economic situation and poverty are fertile ground for nationalism and xenophobia, and Russian propaganda is trying to target this disadvantage we have in our economy. Eliminating poverty the best answer to this challenge, and, generally, increasing the level of economic development. Another important reform is education, because unfortunately education has become capacity restraint for our economy, and we have acknowledge this. We are focused on human capital building in Georgia, on implementing education reform, which will help us increase the human capital index, eliminate poverty, and make Georgia's economy more competitive. Answer to political challenges is in the fields of both politics and economy. We are absolutely sure that Russian propaganda will never achieve its goals, they are trying their best, but look at the recent elections, the so-called pro-Russian parties cannot get more than 4-5%. The absolute majority of our society is fully committed to our aspirations to become a full part of the EU and NATO," the Prime Minister stated.
Prime Minister's Press Office