TBILISI, October 15 – The Georgian government on Wednesday canceled a planned meeting between Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Elina Valtonen, Finland’s foreign minister and the current chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), after she briefly visited an anti-government protest outside parliament. In a statement, the government said Valtonen had … Read more
TBILISI, October 14 – Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday defended the government’s controversial new legislation aimed at curbing unapproved street protests and warned against what he called “radical” opposition forces. Kobakhidze said the government is finalizing a constitutional lawsuit that will target political parties he accused of “destructive” activity. “Our country needs calm … Read more
TBILISI, October 3 – Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the resolution passed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), calling it “another attack on the Georgian people.” Speaking one day after the PACE vote, Kobakhidze said the resolution revealed the “serious problems” in Europe’s bureaucracy and that it includes passages that … Read more
TBILISI, October 2 – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called Georgia “the most successful European country” ahead of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen today. Speaking before the meeting, Orbán praised Georgia’s economic performance and said he would meet Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during the summit. The Georgian PM is scheduled to … Read more
TBILISI, September 25 – Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has doubled down on sharp criticism of Western envoys, accusing EU, UK and German ambassadors in Tbilisi of overstepping their diplomatic role and interfering directly in the country’s politics. Speaking to reporters after the UK’s ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, a day after Germany’s … Read more
TBILISI, September 20 – Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze blames the halting of two major hydropower plans on ‘sabotage’ by foreign-funded groups. Hydropower projects in Georgia have long drawn street protests, but Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze now says some groups went further, engaging in sabotage and demands for stakes in energy projects. The PM pointed to … Read more
TBILISI, September 16 – Georgia’s prime minister is escalating attacks on jailed opposition activist Elene Khoshtaria, accusing her of being in the Kremlin’s pay. Speaking Tuesday after the Dutch ambassador visited Khoshtaria in detention, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze blasted the envoy for “grossly violating” the Vienna Convention and claimed the meeting was interference in Georgia’s … Read more
TBILISI, September 16 – Despite international criticism, Georgia’s government is signaling a tougher stance on street protests, with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze warning that the era of going “soft” on demonstrators is over. The PM’s remarks came after the arrest of Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the opposition group Coalition for Change, who was detained … Read more
TBILISI, September 1 – Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of playing a direct role in what he called “anti-state activities” and revolutionary processes in the country. Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze said the matter is now in the hands of investigators and stressed that “everyone is obliged to cooperate with the … Read more
TBILISI, August 20 – Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says he is ready to challenge what he calls “biased” criticism from European officials, insisting that Georgia has achieved progress that surpasses even some EU and NATO member states. Some EU leaders have suggested sanctions against Georgia, such as withholding visa-free travel rights, if the government fails … Read more