Today, the Parliament heard the report of the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze concerning the fulfillment of the Governmental program.

The Prime Minister, prior to introducing the report, underlined the successful match of the Georgian football team in the European Championship.

“I can’t help starting my address with football. These days are totally dedicated to football, our success, which scores not only the football team but the whole country. I would like to congratulate all of Georgia and thank our football players, the members of the team. The merit that each of them contributed to this victory is of paramount importance. It is impossible to particularly outline any of them since all of them as a team devoted their heart and soul to the achievement of this victory. We are extremely grateful to them for this immense happiness and delight, for making us so tremendously proud. We are grateful to the Federation, its President Levan Kobiashvili and although we cherish personal attitude toward him as he is a member of our party, this is the moment when my gratitude is absolutely free of partiality. The role of the Federation in this victory was utmost. The change of the leadership of the Federation a couple of years ago drastically altered the attitude toward Georgian football and hence, the Federation shall be appraised for this victory”, - the PM stated.

He thanked the honorary Chair of the “Georgian Dream”, Bidzina Ivanishvili for supporting the football team.

“I would like to thank Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili. Our football players do not need to be additionally motivated, however, even the maximal motivation needs to be encouraged; and so, we are grateful to Bidzina Ivanisvhili, who undertook special charity actions. We thank him for encouraging our football team, which, naturally, increase our chances for victory at the match with Spain”, - he noted.

I. Kobakhidze estimated that the radical opposition failed again to dare and attend the plenary session.

“They had four opportunities to invite me to the Parliament within the Interpellation and engage me in the debates, however, they lacked the courage to submit a letter on Interpellation. And now, when my annual report is a mandatory duty, they failed again to enter the debates. It evidences two facts – the first is that they hold too scarce intellectual resources, and the second and foremost – they are not backed with the truth as the truth is our instrument and this is the primary ground for the failure of the opposition to start the debates with the “Georgian Dream”, the ruling party”.

According to him, two key tasks remaining for the fulfillment are the peaceful restoration of the territorial integrity and the eradication of poverty. A strong economy means a strong country and hence, economic development stands as a key priority of the Government.

“I am delighted that in the first months of the new Government in office, we enjoyed high economic growth, and today, according to the March data, we see 9% of the economic growth. I would like to particularly thank the economic team and the Economic Ministry and other Ministers of the economic team. The average growth index for 5 months is at 9,3%, which is if not the highest but one of the highest points in Europe”.

As the PM noted, economic growth allowed the Government to increase the budget of 2024 by 360 ml GEL and the respective changes will be submitted to the Parliament.

As the Head of the Government underlined, further economic progress is based on the development of the transit function of the country.

“Significant road sections were opened for the last 4,5 months. The 36 km. section is already open on Rikoti Pass, and 89 bridges and 50 tunnels have been built. In April, we schedule to open the Zestaponi detour; the Batumi detour is under construction – all five tunnels are cut and 20 bridges are built. We also cut the Kobi-Kvesheti unique tunnel and opened it in April – it is the 9 km. tunnel – the longest in Georgia”.

The development of Anaklia Port is of no less importance and the construction works will start soon. The reporter dwelt on the employment and the poverty index.

“We achieved the highest index in the employment term – 1,4 ml persons are employed in Georgia, which is the best figure since the 90s. As for poverty, let me remind you that the poverty rate in 2012 was at 30%, which means that over 1,1 ml citizens lived below the poverty line. The “Geostat” published the data for 2023, which reveals that poverty is reduced to 11,8%, which means that 435 000 persons remain below the poverty line. This is the figure appalling and concerning for us and thus, one of our key tasks is to eradicate poverty”.

The PM concentrated on environmental protection, agriculture and tourism. As he noted, in 2023, Georgia exported agrarian products to 106 countries valued of 1,4 bl. USD, which exceeds the preceding index by 15%.

Speaking about education, I. Kobakhidze noted that the Government endorsed the updated general education national objectives, based on the core pillars: patriotism, national values, respect for the history and culture of Georgia, and universal values. Starting in July, the remuneration for the school pedagogues and administrative personnel increase by an average 500 GEL, which will reflect on the improvement of education quality in schools.

Georgia celebrates unprecedented success in sports as well not only in the team but also in individual types. Georgia hosted numerous international tournaments.

Speaking about healthcare, the PM noted that the healthcare budget has increased four times since 2012, which indicates to the fact that human health is outlined as a special priority of the Government. The reporter touched upon the scheduled reforms and the infrastructure and the material-technical base of the Interior Ministry, also about the army barracks, bases and other police buildings, their improvement and equipment.

“We encountered certain attempts of triggering disorders, however, the Interior Ministry has qualitatively applied the European and American standards and ensured the maintenance of peace and stability in the country, for which, we are grateful to the Interior Minister, Vakhtang Gomelauri and the police officers”.

According to the reporter, the Defense Ministry is successfully undertaking antiarmor, air defense, artillery, intelligence, engineering and cyber security activities, as well as the improvement of the infrastructural facilities for the defense forces.

In his report, the PM underlined that EU integration lingers as the key foreign-political priority.

“The first official visit in the rank of the Prime Minister I served to Brussels, attending the Association Council sitting. Naturally, we continue the fulfillment of the Association Agreement agenda and nine priorities. For 2030, Georgia will be a champion among the candidate countries for becoming a full-fledged EU member. Obviously, we also keep actively cooperating with NATO and my first official visit as the Prime Minister was served to the NATO administration, where I attended the NATO-Georgia Commission sitting. We enjoy productive cooperation in various directions, including in the military and defense spheres”, - the reporter stated.

According to him, Georgia-USA relations are being enhanced at a strategic level.

“The Government aspires to contribute to the reload with the USA, which is recognized as necessary against the background of the developments starting since 2020. We truly hope for response activities. The enhancement of Georgia-USA relations are of strategic significance for the country”, - I. Kobakhidze stated adding that the socio-economic, infrastructural, agricultural, healthcare, educational and cultural programs are being undertaken in the villages adjacent to the dividing line.

The session was attended by the Government members, the Heads of the judicial authority, the Tbilisi Mayor and the Chair of Tbilisi City Assembly, as well as the Heads of Ajara AR and Abkhazia AR Governments and the Chairs of the Supreme Councils, the Heads of independent Constitutional bodies, as well as the representatives of the Patriarchate and the diplomatic corps.