On December 18, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili presented a report on the government's work in 2023. 

Garibashvili is sure that after the party, founded by businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, came to power, Georgia took the path of real Europeanization and democratization. "The result of this was the fulfillment of the dream of many generations and granting Georgia the status of a candidate for EU membership. Of course, it was not easy, we have gone through many challenging periods, and many tests, but we have always been guided by national interests, and that's why we have achieved such results. Our government started on the path of strengthening the sovereignty of our country after Bidzina Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream took over the country's reins. If any ruler has achieved concrete results on the path of European integration of the country, it is the Georgian Dream," Garibashvili said. The Georgian leader believes that it was the fault of the past authorities that the Georgian-Russian war took place in 2008, but Ivanishvili would not have allowed this to happen. "Of course, the August 2008 war was a great tragedy for us, for Georgia. Unfortunately, the then irresponsible government could not avoid this war. If Bidzina Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream had been in power in 2008, this war would not have happened," the prime minister said.

Garibashvili said that the administration of US President Joe Biden played a key role in granting the country candidate status. He expressed gratitude to US Assistant to the President for National Security Jake Sullivan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Várhelyi, leaders of 27 EU countries and their ambassadors to Georgia. "The role of each of you is very important; each of your votes and your support was very important," Garibashvili added.

According to Garibashvili, the national economy has tripled during the 11 years of the Georgian Dream government. "Before 2012, the main way to replenish the budget was business racket, poverty was off the scale, and there were no prospects in the country. An autocratic regime was established in the country, unjust, which oppressed the citizens. Then, the economy of the whole country, the gross domestic product was about 27 billion GEL [EUR 9 billion]; this year, the gross domestic product amounted to 80 billion GEL [EUR 27 billion]. In 2024, it will become 86 billion GEL [EUR 29 billion]," the prime minister stated. According to Garibashvili, over the past 11 years, poverty in Georgia has halved - more than half a million people got out of poverty compared to 2012. "In 2012, the unemployment rate was about 27%. Last year, the unemployment rate fell to a record low of 17%. The poverty rate also fell to a record low of 15%. This year, the unemployment rate has continued to fall for all three quarters. The unemployment rate has fallen in tandem with growth in the labor force and employment. This year, for example, the third quarter unemployment rate was 15.6%. The number of employed people is also a record, reaching 1 million 366 thousand," the prime minister noted.

Moreover, Garibashvili stated that Georgia's peace initiative between Armenia and Azerbaijan has yielded concrete results. According to him, Georgian authorities maintain close, friendly relations with partners in the region - Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. "We are certainly interested in establishing long-term peace and stability in the region. Georgia is making an important contribution to this goal. Some time ago, the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia were in Georgia, and we had a unique opportunity to hold a trilateral meeting. I think it was an interesting precedent that we achieved," the Georgian leader noted. Garibashvili recalled that intensive visits were carried out between the neighboring countries: "I have been to Azerbaijan several times, the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia visited Georgia. We continue our strategic partnership and high-level cooperation with Turkey as well."