Ivanishvili offers UNM to give advice through mediators

Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili says he will only deal with Mikheil Saakashvili’s National Movement party through mediators and suggests that they present their views to experts who then will explain it to the government.

Ivanishvili said Wednesday at a press conference that the reason for his decision is that the UNM is not ‘an opponent which shows Georgia the right way.’

He said Georgia’s economy is developing slowly and in few years the results will become clearer.

“I will avoid naming specific numbers of how much economic growth we expect this year. Not that I am afraid, but this is difficult and it would be unprofessional to speak of numbers,” he said. “When years pass, you’ll see how well things are going. We freed business. We do not interrupt in it.”

The PM calls on UNM members to meet with experts and explain what mistakes the new government is making. He said the experts should analyze the problems in the economy.

“I will only accept a proposal prepared by these experts. Unfortunately, the UNM has managed to make me not listen to them anymore. They are not opponents who will show us the right way,” he added.

The PM said the previous government’s plan for catering to business was not effective.

“All private business was managed from a single center and monopoly, which works counter to economic development.”

Now, the government doesn’t intervene in business, the PM says, and the economy is on the right track. It will take time to develop the economy, and the new government does not plan any experiments.

“We try to use our experience and ties. The fund which I promised to set up for business will be registered soon and there will be a fund for co-investment. This is more understandable language for investors.”

Sergo Ratiani from the National Movement told DF Watch that he and the party thinks economic conditions in Georgia are now ‘alarming’ and therefore they are ready to accept the PM’s proposal about going through mediators.

“We have several times declared that we are ready for cooperation and if the PM doubts his own qualifications and cannot speak with us, then we accept his proposal of a new format of talks and we will speak through experts,” he said.