Irakli Gharibashvili: "More than 100,000 new jobs were created"

At the Government meeting on November 28, Irakli Gharibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia,  stated that in the last year, more than 100,000 new jobs had been created in Georgia, and unemployment has dropped to a historical minimum.

"We have a poverty reduction, and there is growth in all directions, be it tourism, export, or domestic production. In short, we have a positive indicator in all directions," he added. "Taking into account the dynamics of actual mobilization, we increase the planned rate of tax revenue of the consolidated budget for 2023 by approximately 290 million GEL [EUR 103 million]. In addition, the planned rate of income, the planned rate of loan repayment, and other income will increase by approximately 270 million GEL [EUR 97 million]. Therefore, next year, our resources will increase by 660 million GEL [EUR 234 million]. Accordingly, the combined budget will increase by the same amount. The total budget will be 25 billion GEL [EUR 8 billion]," Gharibashvili stated.

Saakashvili tried in Tbilisi City Court for illegal border crossing

On November 28, in Mikheil Saakashvili's absence, the Tbilisi City Court was hearing the case of the imprisoned former president involving unlawful border crossing. Giuli Alasania, Saakashvili's mother, and his attorneys anticipated that the former president would attend the session.

Moreover, despite the pending trial, Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria visited Saakashvili at the Vivamedi Clinic. "The former president's health has sharply deteriorated, which is visually noticeable," the Speaker claimed recently.

"He is slimmed down considerably. He is unable to walk or stand up, according to the doctors. The doctor says his health has been deteriorating, especially since the beginning of October," she stated.

Kelly Degnan: "We remain big supporters of Anaklia deep-water port development."

On November 28, Kelly Degnan, the US Ambassador to Georgia, stated that the United States, had been a big backer of the Anaklia deep-water port for years. "Because we think that it may be a very important contribution to Georgia's orientation to the Black Sea," she added.

The Ambassador said, "This is essential infrastructure for Georgia's growth, which is why the United States has long supported the establishment of an Anaklia port." According to her, "Anaklia will not only make a significant contribution to Georgia's economy but will also create some solid employment for Georgians in that region and beyond."

"We can all see now that if Anaklia had been completed last year as was originally planned, it would have made a huge contribution as Georgia developed its role in the middle corridor, bringing goods from Central Asia through to Europe. My understanding is that several globally qualified port operators are interested in Anaklia and that the government plans to move forward with a tender early next year. Of course, we think that Anaklia will not only bring a big contribution to Georgia's economy but also create some good jobs for Georgians in that region and beyond. "So, we remain big supporters of the development of Anaklia's deep-water port, done in a way that is in the best interests of the country of Georgia and that protects Georgia’s critical infrastructure," she concluded.

Georgian Culture Minister on court independence

According to Tea Tsulukiani, Georgia's Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs, if the sentence is inconsistent with the person's health, the court will decide whether to postpone detention.

Tsulukiani contended that the Georgian judiciary is impartial and that no one, not even the President, should ever contemplate trying to sway a judge's decision. Tsulukiani said that the president has previously opposed pardoning former president Mikheil Saakashvili.

"I sincerely hope that this viewpoint has not altered. Understandably, she [President Salome Zourabichvili] cannot openly defend this stance any longer. However, as a citizen, I’d like to know whether anything changed on her part and, if so, why. Arguments are required when an official decides within the area of discretion, but I hope her negative attitude toward Saakashvili’s pardoning has not changed," Tsulukiani remarked.

Notably, on November 24, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said, "The report on the extent of the damage to ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili’s health should be filed with the court, and I am hoping the court will perform at its highest levels." Zourabichvili said she was careful about Saakashvili’s health.