IRAKLI GARIBASHVILI, Prime Minister of Georgia, began by reminding the Assembly of the full-scale military aggression his country suffered in 2008, the devastating consequences of which are still being experienced today.  He noted that 20 per cent of Georgian territory is under occupation by the Russian Federation with an attendant displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.  Nevertheless, “despite the devastation we have endured, we have not hesitated to pursue our ambitions”, he added.  Taking the opportunity to thank the international community for its unwavering support in upholding Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, he also called for a global effort to persuade the Russian Federation “to engage with the Geneva International Discussions and fully implement the EU-mediated 2008 Ceasefire Agreement”.

He highlighted his Government’s achievements, stating that Georgia has enjoyed sustained economic growth over the past 10 years in addition to double-digit economic growth for two consecutive years.  Official reserve assets as of July 2023 show a historic 90 per cent increase in comparison to 2012.  Unemployment and poverty rates are similarly at a historical low.  He stated that, on the rule of law, Georgia ranked top in Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions by the World Justice Project’s 2022 Rule of Law Index, adding that the 2023 Numbeo Crime Index positions his country as the eighth-safest country in Europe and eighteenth globally.  His Government is also committed to social welfare and education.  “These successes are just a fraction of the progress my country has made, but they clearly demonstrate our efforts to create opportunities for all our citizens, including those residing in the occupied territories of Georgia,” he said.

Describing his country’s intended membership in the European Union as a “geopolitical priority”, he spotlighted achievements of his Government towards this reality, including the European Union Association Agreement, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and the visa-free regime.  He expressed his country’s commitment to address the 12 priorities required for European Union Candidate Status, saying:  “Through a rigorous, inclusive and transparent domestic implementation process involving all stakeholders, we are on track to complete them this year.”  Spelling out Georgia’s contributions over more than two decades to NATO missions globally, as well as the loss of 32 Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan, he reiterated his country’s “unwavering commitment to stand alongside NATO to safeguard our collective security”.  He bemoaned the aggression against Ukraine that “reawakens the trauma of the 2008 war in Georgia” and highlighted his Government’s response to the situation.  It has sponsored and supported over 500 resolutions, statements and initiatives on the conflict and is currently catering to more than 2,200 Ukrainian students, besides other humanitarian assistance. 

On Armenia and Azerbaijan, he said his Government’s Peaceful Neighbour Initiative will help to “finally bring lasting peace to the South Caucasus” while the comprehensive road maps signed with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will “eliminate bottlenecks and enhance the Middle Corridor from 2022 to 2027”.  He noted that, in light of the apparent increasing need for energy and the equal imperative for addressing climate change, Georgia is actively pursuing new ventures in renewable energy with a goal to attract investors and create a favourable environment for the establishment of innovative power plants.  “We remain dedicated to achieving even greater results for the Georgian people while making significant contributions to the global community,” he stated.