“If not for Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia and the Georgian people would be in a much worse situation today than Ukraine and the Ukrainian people are currently in,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze posted on social media.

“I congratulate Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili on his birthday! Recent events have made it even more clear how Georgia walked on a tightrope, especially over the last four years. If not for Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia and the Georgian people would be in a much worse situation today than Ukraine and the Ukrainian people are currently in.

Bidzina Ivanishvili established what we so strongly lacked in Georgia – a culture of patiently conducting state affairs. Excessive emotions and impatience cost our country several wars, nine years of authoritarian rule by foreign agents, and severe economic backwardness. Under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s leadership, the country successfully overcame its most difficult challenges, maintained twelve years of uninterrupted peace, and achieved rapid economic progress.

Once again, I congratulate Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili on his birthday. As a citizen of this country, I thank him for all the great work he has done for Georgia and the strengthening of its statehood!” Irakli Kobakhidze wrote.