President Mikheil Saakashvili described 2004 as “the most successful year in independent Georgia’s history.” But when asked about the failures of the year, the President replied that he “would not like to focus on that.”
He said that the most important achievement of this year was reintegration of the Adjara Autonomous Republic into Georgia proper.
Saakashvili said that the new government of Georgia solved the problem of a “defiant Adjara without bloodshed,” referring to the peaceful ouster of self-minded ex-Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze in May.
The President also stressed that Georgia has strengthened its international positions. In this regard he spoke about the recent developments in Ukraine and said that “the Ukrainian revolution triggered a geopolitical revolution for Georgia.”
He said that the November Rose Revolution which “gave Georgia a special status,” would have “stayed in isolation if not the recent developments in Ukraine.”
“Our factor was rather important for the Ukrainian revolution … On the other hand Georgia is no more isolated… A state has emerged [in the region], which, like Georgia, has chosen the way towards European integration,” Saakashvili said.
The Georgian President also focused on the economy and said that the government can increase budgetary expenditures for the first time in the last several years. He also stressed the importance of adopting the new liberal tax code and the law on tax and financial amnesty.
Saakashvili said the authorities also managed to establish a “state consciousness” and state institutions.
The President also spoke about his closest allies and described Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze as his “best partners.”
“Everybody kept saying that we would oppose each other, but this did not happen. We managed to unite our parties [the National Movement, the United Democrats] and establish a united team,” the President added.
Speaking about the country’s future plans, Saakashvili said that “much has been done, but still much is to be done. The issue of Georgia’s reintegration should top the agenda.”
He also said that the development of country’s infrastructures will be of vital importance. “The development of the Georgian economy greatly depends on the development of its infrastructure. We need to attract investments and develop tourism,” the President said.
“Things cannot be settled so quickly, within five months. I also thought so, but it is impossible. Everything needs time. However, I will do it within the term of my presidency,” Saakashvili added.
The President was also asked to speak about the failures of the last year, but refrained and said that he “would not like to focus on that.”
However, the opposition, which is represented in the Parliament by a small group of New Rights-Industrialists coalition, as well as by the Republican Party and newly set up Conservative Party, has been focusing over the government’s failures this week, while the Parliament approved a new cabinet.
The opposition slammed the government for increased human rights abuse, restriction of free media, mounting pressure on the judicial system, as well as about the South Ossetian policy which, according to the opposition, led to a failed August campaign wherein clashes erupted between Georgian and Ossetian forces.
At a press conference on December 29, President Saakashvili commented on this criticism by slamming the opposition for, as he put it, focusing only on the government’s failures and turning a blind eye on those achievements which were made possible through positive activities of the government.
He said that the opposition would have been more popular if it focused on successes as well.
“The current opposition slams almost each move made by the authorities. Because of this very reason, the opposition is not popular in society. I was also once in the opposition and I know how to gain popularity. But I do not intend to share this knowledge with the opposition, because it will be unfavorable for me,” the President said.
