PM Attends World Economic Forum in Davos

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili spoke about the issues of regional stability, Euro-Atlantic integration and Georgia’s policy towards Russia during the panel discussion Strategic Outlook – Eurasia held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22-24.

“We do not have NATO protection, but partnership with the West and good neighborly relations and constant search for zones of common interests is the formula for stability in our region,” Kvirikashvili said, adding that “this is our Article 5.”

Speaking about the cooperation between the countries in the region, the Georgian Prime Minister noted that Georgia has strategic relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as traditional good-neighborly relations with Armenia and very important relations with the Central Asian countries. He also said that the Silk Road and all the new projects have brought “new dynamics in our region.” “Of course it cannot be without very close cooperation in the region which can be a very good prerequisite for sustainable peace,” Kvirikashvili said.

Speaking about stability in Georgia, the Prime Minister said that “it is about values, and for Georgia we set European integration and Euro-Atlantic integration as the strategic priority, and step by step we are transforming our country into a truly European democracy and country which is unique in terms of openness.” In this context, he focused on free trade agreements with the European Union and China and emphasized the importance of “internal structural reforms.” 

The Georgian Prime Minister also spoke about Georgia’s policy towards Russia, noting that “occupation of two of our historic territories is a big problem and of course we have to deal with this issue with a constructive approach but also with a principled approach.” He drew parallels with the situation in Ukraine and noted that “territorial integrity should be a cornerstone for every discussion in our region.” “This is a principle that should not be questioned,” he added.

He also said that cooperation with Russia in the spheres of trade, tourism, as well as humanitarian and cultural relations “can serve as a base point in the future to start positive discussions about political resolution of the conflict.”

Kvirikashvili said that Georgia tries to convince Russia that the policy of Georgia to become part of the Western community is not against anybody. “We need to look for platforms which can be positive, where we can find common interests,” he noted.

PM Kvirikashvili held a number of meetings with senior officials on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

On January 24, Kvirikashvili met with Maros Sefcovic, Vice-President of European Commission for Energy Unions and discussed regional energy projects, as well as Georgia’s reforms in energy sphere.

On January 23, the Georgian Prime Minister held talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sapar Isakov to discuss economic cooperation issues. Earlier on the same day, Kvirikashvili met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and discussed the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, as well as the issues of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The Georgian Prime Minister also held talks with the representatives of large corporations, among them Hillwood, Lulu Group, JSW Group and Wipro and focused on Georgia’s favorable business environment.

Kvirikashvili also met with President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, where the sides discussed the possibility of Georgia hosting Winter Olympic Games. It was decided that the International Olympic Committee will send a group of experts to Georgia to study the state of development and future prospects of mountain resorts.

In Davos, PM Kvirikashvili was accompanied by Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze; Finance Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and CEO of Georgian Co-Investment Fund Giorgi Bachiashvili.