Georgia's Prime Minister Candidate on Prospects of Relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey

The Georgian authorities plan to continue their path towards resolving relations with the Russian Federation. This was stated in the government program submitted by the republic's Prime Minister candidate Irakli Kobakhidze to parliament, as reported by TASS.

"Alongside the country's Euro-integration, Georgia's main challenge remains the peaceful restoration of its territorial integrity and strengthening the country's sovereignty. The Georgian authorities will continue to pursue a policy of peacefully resolving the Georgian-Russian conflict," the document states.

According to the program published on the parliament’s website, the new Prime Minister of Georgia promises to continue participating in the Geneva discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus to address humanitarian issues. If Kobakhidze's government gains approval, it intends to strive for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

On Relations with China

According to the program, the Georgian authorities will also pay special attention to the development of strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China. "Special attention will be directed towards maintaining a positive agenda within the framework of the strategic partnership development document with China, including enhancing trade, economic, and cultural ties, as well as connections between peoples..." the program notes.

At the end of July 2023, Georgia and China announced the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership. Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced last September his decision to abolish the visa regime with China. Citizens of China can stay in Georgia for tourism purposes for up to 30 days.

On the South Caucasus

The leadership of Georgia will continue efforts to establish peace and stability in the South Caucasus. "Georgia will continue to pursue a balanced policy in the region, based on mutually beneficial partner cooperation and thereby will make a significant contribution to the stable development of the region and cooperation in the South Caucasus," the program states.

On Relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey

The country is also committed to strengthening strategic relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. "The successful cooperation with neighboring and partner states will continue to be strengthened, and the development of bilateral relations in all sectors will take place, while the process of border delimitation will be in accordance with national interests, based on strategic partnership and good-neighborly relations. In this regard, it will be important to maintain and enhance the existing high dynamics of bilateral strategic relations with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia," the document states.

On Relations with the United States

Georgia will prioritize efforts to initiate negotiations on free trade with the United States. "The scope of free trade agreements will be expanded further to engage new markets, and consultations on starting negotiations with Israel will continue for this purpose. The United States will be a priority," the document states.

The document also notes that in 2024, a free trade regime with the UAE will come into effect, and negotiations on signing a free trade agreement with South Korea will begin.

On Sanctions against the Russian Federation

The Georgian authorities will continue to suppress attempts by the Russian Federation to circumvent sanctions imposed by the West. "Actions aimed at preventing the use of Georgian territory for circumventing sanctions (against the Russian Federation) will continue in support of the implementation of international sanctions, as well as stringent monitoring by internationally recognized Georgian authorities," the program states.

Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili declared on February 25, 2022, that he did not intend to impose anti-Russian restrictions, explaining this by national interests. The country's authorities have repeatedly stated that adopting restrictive measures against the Russian Federation will not only cause significant economic damage to Georgia but may also provoke military confrontation.

On Thursday, Irakli Kobakhidze was nominated as the Prime Minister candidate during an extraordinary congress of the ruling "Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia" party, after which he submitted the future Cabinet composition and government program to parliament. To confirm the candidacy, the politician must secure the support of at least 76 out of 150 members of parliament.

The Prime Minister's position became vacant after Irakli Garibashvili announced his resignation on January 29. He has since taken on the position of the ruling party's chairman.