Saakashvili Speaks of Kakheti Region amid Russia’s Embargo
In his opening remarks at a joint news conference with visiting NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, President Saakashvili spoke only about how Georgia and in particular Kakheti region managed to survive despite Russia’s economy embargo.
The meeting between Scheffer and Saakashvili and subsequent joint news conference was held in a small provincial town of Signagi in the eastern region of Kakheti, which is a home to over 60% of the country’s vineyards.
“You can see how the Kakheti region has changed following the embargo,” Saakashvili said. “Of course, Kakheti faces economic difficulties, of course, price of grape is relatively low, but new plants, new roads, new schools, hospitals and cinema halls are being built in Kakheti. Kakheti is gaining its foothold and it will show to the entire world that Georgia and its people have a dignity and will not yield to any provocations.”
Georgian winemakers had to decrease production of wine after Russia banned import of Georgian products. This in turn was a blow for thousands of winegrowers in Georgia and mainly in Kakheti.
Saakashvili’s remarks were also maid in an obvious response to a growing criticism by the opposition parties towards, as they call it, the authorities’ failure to provide any assistance to winegrower in the light of Russia’s embargo.
On Saturday a group of major opposition parties, which have come together to push the authorities to hold early parliamentary elections following the arrest of ex-defense minister, Irakli Okruashvili, plan to launch their nationwide campaign from Gurjaani in Kakheti region.
