Kobakhidze Avoids Mentioning Russia in Speech at UN General Assembly
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, delivered three speeches during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, without once mentioning Russia.
This marks the first time a high-ranking official from the Georgian Dream government has avoided referencing Russia during a speech at the UN General Debate. Typically, world leaders use the UN platform to highlight issues of national interest. However, despite discussing the war in Ukraine and the occupation of Georgian territories, Kobakhidze refrained from mentioning Russia, the aggressor responsible for these conflicts.
During the 79th session, Kobakhidze spoke at three events: the “Future Summit,” a Security Council meeting, and the General Debate.
In all three speeches, Kobakhidze stressed the importance of peace and security. He emphasised that the ongoing war in Ukraine has caused unprecedented uncertainty and a humanitarian crisis. The Prime Minister reiterated Georgia’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders and addressed the residents of Georgia’s occupied territories.
Concluding his speech, Kobakhidze stated that Georgia stands at a critical juncture in its recent history. He expressed optimism that the country’s aspiration to become a full member of the European Union will be realised by 2030.
Papuashvili: Foreign interference negatively impacts the fairness of the elections
Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili addressed “foreign interference” in the election process during a briefing at the Georgian Dream office.
He stated, “As the opposition’s inability becomes increasingly apparent, the frequency and intensity of external interference in the election process grows.”
“As we enter the final phase of the pre-election period, it has become clear that the opposition is headed for a historic defeat. The public now sees that the opposition’s campaign lacks both ideas and concrete plans.
As the opposition’s weaknesses become more evident, external interference in the election process intensifies. The timing and nature of statements and actions from foreign actors strongly suggest that this propaganda aims to set the agenda for the opposition. In the pre-election period, Georgian media is busy disseminating opinions from abroad, which skews the electoral environment and negatively impacts its fairness and democratic integrity,” Papuashvili said.
He further questioned whether “such interference” is a deliberate attempt to influence the political choices of the Georgian population and manipulate the election results.
Papuashvili called on foreign partners to “refrain from interfering in the election campaign.”
Following the adoption of the controversial Russian law, along with the violence against activists and the illegal arrests of some, the Georgian Dream has been the subject of ongoing criticism from Western partners.
Prime minister called on Anti-Corruption Bureau chief to remove the status of “entity with declared electoral goals” from Transparency International
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated on the official government website regarding recent actions taken by the Anti-Corruption Bureau against non-governmental organizations.
Kobakhidze suggests that it would be appropriate for “Transparency International – Georgia” and other similar organisations to have their status as “organisations with a declared electoral purpose” revoked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Furthermore, the Prime Minister urges the Bureau to exercise legal discretion and refrain from granting this status to other relevant entities ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has designated two non-governmental organisations, “Transparency International Georgia” and “Choose Europe,” as “entities with declared electoral goals.” The bureau is requiring the directors of these organisations to submit financial reports within five days and to disclose information about the bank accounts used for income and expenses related to their election activities.
On September 30, the Anti-Corruption Bureau designated two non-governmental organisations, “Transparency International Georgia” and “Choose Europe,” as “entities with a declared electoral goal.” As a result, the bureau has required the directors of these organisations to submit financial reports within five days and provide information on the bank accounts used for income and expenses related to their electoral activities.
The head of the bureau, Rajden Kuprashvili, announced this decision during a briefing held on September 24. He explained that the organisations were classified as entities with electoral goals due to their meetings with citizens and public information campaigns, where they encouraged a pro-European choice and, according to the bureau, made anti-government and discrediting statements.
Kuprashvili further stated that if the organisations’ directors fail to submit the requested financial reports and information on funding sources and expenses, the bureau would invoke its legal authority to obtain this information through a court order.
In response, “Transparency International – Georgia” criticized the decision, stating it lacked both factual and legal justification. Razden Kuprashvili of “Transparency International – Georgia” emphasized that the organization, along with its director Eka Gigauri, has consistently supported Georgia’s European aspirations, a stance that aligns with the country’s Constitution and the will of the overwhelming majority of the Georgian population. “We act within the framework of the Constitution of Georgia,” Kuprashvili asserted.