Mikheil Kavelashvili, Georgia’s sixth President who was elected to the post in 2024, on Tuesday warned of “threats” to the country’s “stability” had “not gone away”, citing “ongoing efforts by foreign-backed anti-Georgian forces” to “sow unrest” in his first parliamentary address, Agenda.ge reported.
“The threat will remain high until, in my opinion, the war in Ukraine ends and the groups promoting the interests of foreign countries in Georgia are further weakened”, he told lawmakers, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgian media.
“Over the past few years, our Government has responded firmly to numerous attempts to engage in war, destabilize, and start a revolution. We can call these years the period of Georgia’s survival, which, unfortunately, has not yet ended”, he claimed.
Kavelashvili also credited the “Georgian people” with “preserving the nation’s stability”, saying that they had demonstrated “caution, wisdom, and patriotism” in “preventing the country’s destruction”.
The official further urged “continued vigilance” against what he described as “forces seeking to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty”.
Reflecting on the country’s October 26 general elections last year, Kavelashvili argued the results had been a “clear indication of the public’s preference for stability and traditional values”.
“On this day, the Georgian public chose peace and development, protection of traditions, values, faith, family, and dignity, and rejected the pseudo-liberal ideology that threatens our identity and uniqueness”, he claimed. “Whether the forces hostile to Georgia inside and outside the country want to or not, they will have to accept the choice of the majority of the Georgian people and respect it”, Kavelashvili added.
He noted Georgia had transitioned into a full-fledged parliamentary republic following the elections, claiming it would “enhance governance through closer institutional cooperation”.
“Our economy has grown by an average of 10 percent over the past three years, and strategic projects have been implemented”, he said. “Despite wars, crises, and economic difficulties worldwide, Georgia’s economy continues to thrive, making our country increasingly attractive to investors”, the President added.
He further attributed the growth to the Government’s “ability to maintain peace and stability”, saying “without peace, it is impossible to talk about any kind of development and success”.
In his address, Kavelashvili expressed hope for reconciliation with people currently living in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.
“I believe that we will soon be able to heal the wounds of war together with our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters and continue our happy coexistence in a united, strong, and prosperous Georgia”, he said.
He noted peace, economic progress, and well-being were “essential for national unity”, describing them as a “path that has no alternative”.
In his remarks, Kavelashvili referenced a political shift in the United States, attributing it to President Donald Trump’s influence.
“It is gratifying that, after Donald Trump’s victory in the US, a change in the pseudo-liberal order has begun in the world. I would call it the ‘Donald Trump effect”, he said. “This alignment of values gives me confidence that under the new US administration, we will be able to reset and normalize relations with the US”, Kavelashvili added.
He also claimed recent developments in the US and their global impact had “once again reinforced the Georgian people's confidence in the state's policies and values”.
A policy of peace, prioritization of national interests, protection of conservative and traditional values, the strength of the family, and promotion of Christianity - these are the principles that have guided our Government over the past decade. It is evident that these same values will shape US policy for the next four years”, the official added.
