In an interview with Euronews, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze emphasizes that the next elections will be crucial for EU membership and the removal of Russian influence, in a context of economic growth and political polarization.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze appears relaxed, but calm and focused.
Without a large entourage in his wake for our interview, he happily agreed to talk football, remembering a proud moment for national legend Temur Ketsbaia, a former Newcastle United player, and emphasizing that a new rising star in the country is evolving in the same club.
At the same time, Kobakhidze clearly knows what is at stake in his country’s upcoming parliamentary elections on Sunday — a pivotal moment where everything can change very quickly and whose outcome could potentially shape the nation’s future integration into the EU. and its distance from Russian influence.
The political landscape in Georgia has become increasingly polarized, with opinion polls continuing to provide unreliable and contradictory predictions. This polarization was particularly palpable in Tbilisi, where a large political rally took place on the day of our interview: the roads were all closed, stages prepared for the evening and thousands of people were expected in the streets of the capital.
While the ruling Georgian Dream party presents the vote as a choice between “peace and war”, opposition parties view the election as a battle between the democratic West and authoritarian Russia.
Euronews spoke to Kobakhidze to decipher the importance of the elections, given the context of European Union accession talks and questions surrounding Russian influence.
Euronews: As a young Prime Minister, what do you think will be the future of Georgia?
Irakli Kobakhidze: The elections in Georgia will be a decisive moment. We enjoy rapid economic growth, but Georgia faces key challenges.
We state very directly and explicitly that these elections are also a referendum on the problem of war and peace.
The Georgian Dream government offers us the best guarantees of peace in this country, but also the best prospects for development.
For two and a half years, we have recorded almost a double-digit growth rate and the highest growth rate in the region, but also in all of Europe.
Average economic growth in Georgia was about 9.7% in 2021, 2022 and 2023. And this year’s forecast calls for 10% growth. We must therefore continue this momentum.
We know that without proper economic guarantees, Georgia will never be accepted as a full member of the European Union.
Euronews: Where are the dialogues with the EU currently on your EU membership and what is the next step for Georgia in this process?
Kobakhidze: Unfortunately, we are experiencing problems with dialogue at the moment, but in general, if we summarize the results of the Georgian Dream policies, our government managed to pass all important steps towards European integration.
We managed to sign the association agreement with the European Union in 2014.
We managed to sign the DCFTA with the European Union. Our citizens benefit from the visa waiver regime.
And finally, thanks to the Georgian Dream government, Georgia achieved candidate status.
We are convinced that as soon as the elections are over and as soon as the war in Ukraine ends, we will fundamentally improve and restore relations between Georgia and the EU, as well as between Georgia and the United States.
Euronews: As a Georgian, what does Europe mean to you and what would it mean to be part of the European Union club?
Kobakhidze: Integrating the European family is a historic choice for Georgia and for Georgians.
We are a Christian nation and Europe has always been associated with Christianity. She defends and protects Christianity in Georgia.
This is why Europe has always been a natural choice for Georgia and Georgians.
And this is one of the main reasons that motivate us to become a full member of the European family.
Europe also offers a high level of prosperity, which is positive for Georgia’s development.
So we are very committed to this priority of Georgia’s foreign policy.
Euronews: Are you pro-Russian or anti-European? Can you clarify your position once and for all?
Kobakhidze: Our government is clearly pro-European, we have demonstrated this through our actions. Once again, we have implemented very specific actions to bring the country closer to EU membership.
There is therefore no room for this type of manipulation that the opposition is trying to put in place. It’s their choice. It’s their job. This is part of democracy.
We will continue to do everything possible to promote Georgia’s future membership of the EU.
Euronews: In addition to exchanges with the EU, which seem very real, you exchange with governments around the world. When were your last exchanges with the Kremlin?
Kobakhidze: We have no diplomatic relations with Russia. Georgia is perhaps the only country in the region that does not have diplomatic relations with Russia.
We are in communication with our Western partners in Europe and the United States. This is our current situation.
Euronews: This week, elections took place in other countries, particularly in Moldova. There has been controversy over Russia’s involvement in the political process in this country. Will we see a similar problem in Georgia?
Kobakhidze: I can say that Russia has no influence in Georgia.
It does not exercise influence on Georgia’s political parties. Russian media have no influence in the country.
This is why the Russian camp cannot influence the elections in Georgia.
Euronews: On the surface, it seems that you share some of the Kremlin’s rhetoric when it comes to policies and laws that are being implemented, such as the law on foreign influence or on LGBTQ. Do you consider that these laws are inspired by the Kremlin?
Kobakhidze: These decisions were made by the Georgian government. And these decisions have nothing to do with the decisions made by the Russian government.
We introduced the law on transparency, the content of which has nothing to do with that of the Russian law on NGOs. This law only concerns transparency.
The sole objective of this law is to ensure that NGOs communicate their annual financial declarations to the Ministry of Justice, nothing more.
There are no restrictions. This comparison with Russian law is also a manipulation. And the LGBTI law is also a national decision.
Euronews: Coming back to the war in Ukraine, you seem to have changed your position. Does Georgia see it as an opportunity to make itself heard independently? What do you see as the opportunity?
Kobakhidze: In general, we broadly support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we have condemned Russian military aggression on numerous occasions.
We have signed more than 600 international acts in favor of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and we have also condemned Russian military aggression.
This is why we can say that our support for Ukraine in this war is very strong. And of course, this position is based on the norms of international law.
Euronews: Every war brings its share of horrors, as is the case in Ukraine, and Georgia has lost territories throughout its history. How has this shaped you as a person and a politician to pursue your policies throughout your career?
Kobakhidze: We have a very complicated history, especially in the last 30 years, since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
But we also learned a lot. And this experience has helped us avoid many problems over the past decade.
And personally, as a politician, this experience is very useful and very important.
Euronews: How does your country cope with being surrounded by war?
Kobakhidze: Of course, this puts us in a very difficult situation. But once again, despite all these challenges, we manage to bring peace to the country.
Euronews: How do you react to Western sanctions against Russia and what is their impact on the region?
Kobakhidze: The opposition was pushing us to join these sanctions, but we made a different decision which I can explain very simply.
The share of Georgian trade with Russia amounts to 0.3%. Of course, Georgia cannot impact the Russian economy by applying economic sanctions.
And at the same time, the application of sanctions would lead to an escalation of the conflict. This is why we strongly opposed the opposition’s demands.
Once again, we are doing everything we can to not let anyone use Georgian territory to avoid sanctions.
Euronews: Let’s talk about trade and energy security, which are very important areas. What role do you play in these sectors? Georgia’s strategic location is crucial, isn’t it?
Kobakhidze: Strengthening Georgia’s connectivity is one of our priorities, especially in the new geopolitical circumstances.
For example, we have a crucial strategic connection project with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The Black Sea submarine power cable project and Internet cable projects will connect Georgia with the European market.
In addition, we are investing heavily in infrastructure development. We managed to build about 300 km of highways in Georgia and we ordered the construction of a new port on the Black Sea.
We are also building a new international airport in Tbilisi and increasing the capacity of Kutaisi International Airport.