Jailed ex-PM releases one more statement via Facebook

Georgia’s jailed ex-Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili released one more statement via Facebook.

Gharibashvili reminded society that in 2021, he returned to the position of Prime Minister amidst political crisis, COVID pandemic, a locked-down country, a shut-down economy, a six-per cent economic contraction, a nine-per cent budget deficit, government debt exceeding 60% of GDP, Lari exchange rate hovering between 3.3 and 3.4, during the period when “everything had come to a standstill, and the country was effectively facing the threat of default.”

“Immediately upon my appointment as Prime Minister, we shortly restored balance, strengthened the team, and stabilized the situation; together, we took bold, decisive, and effective steps, including those that carried risk, by opening up the country, introducing three types of vaccines, rejecting a “Covid dictatorship,” and declaring full freedom for our people regarding vaccination.

At the same time, we reopened the economy and gave a strong boost to business and economic development. Amidst the COVID pandemic, we launched new initiatives nationwide, including key infrastructure projects and a regional renewal program, and launched operations across every municipality,” he said.

Irakli Gharibashvili went on to say that the government prevented destabilization and attempts to organize a revolution plotted by Mikheil Saakashvili; the country closed both 2021 and 2022 with unprecedented double-digit economic growth, the government managed to control inflation and “lifted pressure” on medicines.

According to the ex-PM, during the time of his being in office, the government debt decreased, social programs were launched, and the poverty level decreased to a “historic minimum”; monthly wages were increased for public officials, police officers, and soldiers, pensions increased, as well as wages for teachers and physicians.

“High and real economic growth enabled us to increase the state budget multiple times throughout the year and redirect and allocate additional funds to meet various needs of the country and the population.

Every sector and area of ​​activity was developing rapidly. Georgia ranked first in economic growth among EU member and candidate countries. We held third place for low inflation and tenth place for low government debt. During my three-year tenure, my team and I overcame extremely difficult crises. We averted the real dangers of revolution and being dragged into war.

From the very first days of the Russia-Ukraine war, despite immense pressure, we firmly and uncompromisingly defended our country’s national interests, averting destabilization and the real threat of war. We pursued an active foreign policy alongside the rapid development within the country.

Over the course of three years, we implemented 25 foreign visits. We submitted an application for EU membership. We concluded new strategic agreements and free trade agreements. I paid successful visits to China, Brussels, various European capitals, the United States, countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region, as well as Israel and Jordan (with the blessing of His Holiness Ilia II, Georgia returned to the Holy Land after three hundred years).

We have strengthened friendly and strategic relations in the region. Recently, the first mediation between Azerbaijan and Armenia took place with my direct participation. Furthermore, a meeting of the prime ministers of all three countries was held in Tbilisi for the first time,” he wrote.

Irakli Gharibashvili added that through joint effort and by defending national interests, Georgia was granted EU candidate country status in 2023, while the rating of the Georgian Dream was 60% in January of 2024.

“I stepped down as Prime Minister with these results at the end of January 2024. Almost three years have passed since then, and I want to ask the people: has the situation in the country improved or deteriorated, regarding either domestic or foreign policy?” he said.