Anti-Namakhvani HPP protesters to meet with gov't members
Anti-Namakhvani HPP protesters to meet with gov't members

Anti-Namakhvani HPP protester, Varlam Goletiani, said the rally participants decided to meet with the Head of the Government Administration’s Department for Relations with Regions, governors, and MPs.

Goletiani stressed the discussion topics would be technical rather than environmental issues.

“We will address key issues, how to carry on the dialogue. We will voice our requests, including one of not being in a repressive condition. Then we will see if there is room for dialogue. These people should explain to us whether they are decision-makers. We also want the attendance of media outlets at the meeting. We will peacefully go to Kutaisi now,” Goletiani added.

Georgian Parliament members have already arrived in the Imereti region to meet with the anti-Namakhvani HPP protesters.

Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee Chair, Sozar Subari; Majoritarian MP for Samtredia, Tskaltubo, Khoni, and Vani municipalities, Givi Chichinadze; Majoritarian MP for Kutaisi municipality, Zaza Lominadze; Majoritarian MP for Tkibuli, Terjola, Zestaponi, and Bagdati municipalities, Bezhan Tsakadze; Majoritarian MP for Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi, and Mestia municipalities, Gocha Enukidze, and MPs Dimitri Samkharadze and Goderdzi Chankseliani are present at the Administration of the State Representative in the Imereti Region. They show readiness to listen to the protesters and continue the dialogue.

Earlier today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili instructed the Head of the Government Administration’s Department for Relations with Regions and two governors to continue dialogue with the anti-Namakhvani HPP protesters.

One of the protesters stated earlier that the demonstrators are ready for a dialogue with the Prime Minister or his decision-maker representative if they were allowed into the village of Namakhvani.

Anti-HPP protesters have been holding rallies for several months. Protesters demand the Economy Minister’s resignation and direct involvement of PM Irakli Garibashvili in the negotiation process.