2019-12-30
Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia wrapped up 2019 at the concluding Executive Government Meeting today. Overview started with current challenges faced by the country.
As noted by the Prime Minister of Georgia, 20% of the national territory of Georgia is still occupied, which is a restriction of the national potential and human capital development by 20%.
Head of Government of Georgia responded to the release of Vazha Gaprindashvili from an unlawful imprisonment and noted that unfortunately citizens encounter obstacles from both sides of the occupation line.
"This year was utterly dynamic and quite loaded both with challenges and achievements. You may well be aware that occupation remains to be the most significant unfortunate challenge in our country. Still, 20% of the Georgian territory is occupied and it is a very heavy restriction, limiting 20% of our human capital development and overall potential of our country from further development. It is utterly important for each of us to remember that challenges are faced on a daily basis by our citizens on both sides of the occupation line. Fortunately, unlawful imprisonment of the Georgian medical doctor has been peacefully completed, though each of us should never forget that our citizens encounter these obstacles on a daily basis and Akhalgori residents are currently totally prevented from a free movement. This is the gravest humanitarian condition" noted the Head of Government of Georgia.
Prime Minister of Georgia named Georgian traditions, fully-fledged membership of Georgia in the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions with Georgian traditions and cultural identity as a top priority of the Government of Georgia.
"We assumed chairmanship of the Council of Europe this year and we should definitely use this opportunity in full extent to make sure that our European partners, friends and colleagues get to know our achievements towards democracy that we have achieved and challenges faced; we should showcase the daily progress, which is attained by the citizens of Georgia and our society at large" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia underlined the significance of the Black Sea Security in the newly emerged dimension of cooperation with NATO and Georgia in 2019. In the opinion of the Prime Minister of Georgia, this allows the country to exhibit its most essential partnership with the NATO in yet another direction.
"It was an outstanding year with abundance of joint exercises with an unprecedented number and quantity deployed. Also, we should not forget that a new dimension emerged in the cooperation of NATO and Georgia in 2019 in terms of the Black Sea Security. It allows Georgia to once again demonstrate a most significant partnership to NATO in yet another dimension. It is our mission to be the guarantors of security in the Black Sea basin together with our international partners. Also, we need to stress that we never before had such a deep and all-inclusive partnership with our key strategic partner as evidenced in 2019, covering the most significant dimensions for the entire country, which stands for security cooperation with the USA, current economic progress and advancement towards democracy of course" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia referred to the occupation of 20% of the country as its prime challenge, thereby noting that response of the authorities and people of Georgia to this gravest challenge is 70% of population in support of the Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia.
"This is the most important direction in our foreign policy and no matter how many years are required, each citizen of Georgia will consistently pursue it" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
When reviewing the economic condition of the country, Head of Government of Georgia referred to the strong Georgian business and developed companies as the main task of the authorities, as they are the ones that create jobs in the country.
"Creation of jobs is a huge challenge for the country and of course we understand it well that we are not hassle-free today. We need to do more in a concentrated manner and should say that Georgian business is our main partner in the creation of jobs. We should intensify relations and cooperation with businesses to solve plenty of current problems, though a lot of other systemic challenges exist that need to be responded through joint efforts" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia believes that economic growth indicator is quite good. As noted by the Prime Minister of Georgia, it exceeded 5% in the first 10 months of 2019 and prospects of final outcome are optimistic in the viewpoint of the authorities.
"Good indicators have been achieved in Q3 in terms of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). Our economy grew by 14%, though a lot is still required to be done to show the attractiveness of our country to our partners" noted the Head of Government of Georgia.
In the opinion of the Prime Minister of Georgia, positive indicators have been achieved in the size of inbound tourism, as it has exceeded 9 million visitors.
"We can daringly say today that ski resorts of Georgia: Mestia, Gudauri, Goderdzi, Bakuriani are ready to accept our foreign visitors and tourists" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia also spoke about the accelerated process of privatization.
"100 assets will always be listed for privatization by the Ministry of Economy of Georgia. It allows us to make our currently idle assets actively engaged in the economy. Almost within a month we managed to sell 28 assets and proceeds from sale have exceeded 45 MLN GEL" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia also focused his attention on the systemic registration of land, which will start from 2020. According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, it is a reform of paramount importance and the referred problem will be addressed within three years.
"This reform allows us to turn land into a key economic asset fully engaged in the economic performance and turnover of goods and services" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia also stressed the success and need to further modernize the state-supported program branded as Produce in Georgia.
"It should reach almost every family in Georgia by 2020. It will be replicated in the regions. Programs implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia, along with those in support of entrepreneurship and initiatives supported by the Ministry of Economy of Georgia will be provided through a one-stop-shop principle in the regions and each citizen of our country willing to bear responsibility for running a business and being an entrepreneur - be that young or not - will benefit of the tailor-made programs. We welcome and entirely support individuals to care for their welfare and be most successful to ultimately create jobs and new employment opportunities" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
In the opinion of the Head of Government of Georgia, achievements made in the political and economic life of the country will not have sustainable and long-term development prospects if a strong and modern system of education is not created in Georgia.
Prime Minister of Georgia noted that a systemic reform of the education sector will continue and remain a priority for the Government of Georgia through 2020.
"If we fail to create a strong and modern education system, our youth - our children - will not end up being competitive in the global context. That is why, a systemic reform of the education system continues and will remain to be the priority of the Government of Georgia through 2020, especially in terms of general schooling and vocational education" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Prime Minister of Georgia named the human rights among priorities of 2020 and noted that performance of the Inter-Agency Council and Secretariat on Human Rights will become intensive towards this end. Also, reform launched in the investigation system will be continued to ensure the increased quality of investigations.
"Further reform of the law-enforcement system is of great importance. Reforms have been launched in the system towards protection of human rights and increased quality of investigation are of tremendous importance for the democracy of the county and fight against crime. Eradication of criminal offenses will be deprived of any value if standards of human rights protection are not continuously adhered. It is of critical importance. We should continue the reform of the investigation system in 2020 to increase the quality of investigation and to segregate the competencies of the Ministry of Interior from those of the Prosecution Office. In addition, performance of the Inter-Agency Council and Secretariat on Human Rights will become intensive by 2020 as it will remain to be our priority in 2020, similar to the previous years" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia focused his review on the social needs of population and noted that State Budget for 2020 is oriented at those groups of the society and citizens that require special care and support.
"Until our economic development reaches the essential level, it will the positive obligation of the State to care for the vulnerable groups of the society. That is why State Budget for 2020 is predominantly oriented at our citizens. In line with the main fiscal document of the country, all pensioners as well as the disabled of tier 1 and 2, will get an increased pension initially by 20 GEL and age pensioners over 70 will get an increased pension by 30 GEL. Highlander pensioners, who have already reached the age of 70 will get about 300 GEL a month as a pension. Salaries and wages for full-time school teachers will be increased by about 300 GEL. State Budget for 2020 is oriented towards those groups of the society and citizens that require special care and support. These are children, merited elderly, medical doctors, school teachers, law-enforcement officers and soldiers. Under the State Budget salaries and wages will be increased to kindergarten teachers as well; apart from school teachers, medical doctors working at emergency rescue services and villages, soldiers, policemen, arts and culture professionals will get increased salaries and wages" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
While assessing the performance during the year shortly coming to its completion, Head of Government of Georgia also focused on the high level of polarization in the society, along with the shared responsibility of the ruling and opposition parties towards the country.
"2019 has turned out to be quite dynamic and full of challenges. Nevertheless, we have significant achievements as well. Ruling and opposition parties have different perception of responsibility, though we should remember that we should all together care and develop for our country" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Head of Government of Georgia thanked his cabinet members for their past performance and extended gratitude to his predecessor Mamuka Bakhtadze and his cabinet members.
"I wish to thank every member of the Government of Georgia for the most significant work throughout the year. I also thank all former members of the Cabinet, my predecessor Mamuka Bakhtadze for the work initiated in 2019. I wish you a very Happy New Year, good health and success in your professional endeavors towards the development of our country" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Prime Minister's Press Office