Monthly Archives: March 2023

Today's speech of the President of Georgia before the highest legislative body of the country is aimed at deepening the polarization in the country;

Chairman of the political group "European Socialists" of the Parliament of Georgia Fridon Injia stated this at the extraordinary session of the Parliament, where the President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili presented the annual report.

"Today's speech of the President of Georgia and all statements of the last period are aimed at the country To deepen the polarization", said Fridon Injia.

The chairman of the political group expressed the hope that the president will make such statements before the end of his term of office, which will be aimed at the interests of the country, thus he will make his own small contribution to the construction and development of the state.

"Ms. Salome, you still have one more year before the end of your presidential term, and I ask you to make such statements that will be considered a step in favor of the interests of the country, a step towards saving the Georgian state - this means the interests of the citizens of Georgia, including the interests of the Georgian diaspora. You do not have any other great authority. Therefore, if you do this, you will be considered as laying even a small brick in saving the Georgian state.

What gives me the right to talk to you like that?

During the second round of the presidential elections, even though we are an opposition party, we fought day and night in Samegrelo for two weeks and you won in all eight districts in that very difficult region. Here, this gives me the right to say that we will not give up and the president we voted for will do the necessary things for the country", said Fridon Injia.

In his speech, the deputy asked the country's president to clarify the difference he sees between the events of March 7-8 and the fact of the protesters' invasion of the Capitol in the United States of America.

Madam President, what difference do you see between the invasion of the United States Congress by the participants of the protest action and the storming of the Georgian Parliament building by the participants of the action?

If the storming of the capitol is considered an illegal act there and the perpetrators are punished - they are sentenced to 10-15 years or more, here in Georgia, is it possible for radical groups to storm the parliament building, set it on fire and repeatedly use Molotov cocktails to kill policemen?

You, with your statements, show support for people who are misguided, who set fire to the parliament and attack law enforcement officers, mercilessly destroy the state's infrastructure and property. Were these actions within the constitutional framework?

How are people who raise their hands at police officers punished in America? Here, during the March 7-8 rally, how many were maimed? Were the criminals punished? Or if they are punished, do you think of pardoning them?" Fridon Injia asked the president.

The MP expressed hope that the time will come when the participants of the March 7-8 rally will realize the truth and everything will be called by its name.

The chairman of the political group reminded the president about the rules of the political game and team principles of cooperation, which principles should be followed by persons holding the highest political positions in the state.

"I want to talk to you about the rules of the game by which you became the president of Georgia."

We all have children, families and we know what responsibility we have before them. There are many historical examples in Georgia, where our kings, statesmen and first persons always put the interests of the country above everything else. Let me remind you that when you were the Minister of Foreign Affairs and had to resign, you had to make that decision precisely because you did not know the rules of the game. The "National Movement", despite many factors that are unacceptable to me, knows how to play by the rules, and the people you have gathered should not think that someone came to this meeting with your respect. They had a protest against the previous government. Therefore, you thought and received the legitimacy that you could speak for the people. (Salome Zurabishvili in 2005, after her removal from the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, gathered the population at the hippodrome).

Do not forget that the rules of the game were suggested to you by "Dream". After all, you agreed and gave a promise to the then chairman of "Georgian Dream" that you would be devoted to Georgia and honorably fulfill the duty assigned to you as the president. He too, I mean Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili, gave you a promise that he would continue to provide colossal financial aid to Georgia, which he is doing, based on the interests of Georgia, despite his departure from politics and the unprecedented pressure on him, which cannot even be compared to the pressure on you and the existing obligations.

I believe that there is pressure on you today, but you have to rise above it, and I can give examples of that. You want the example of Israel, where the country's prime minister and head of national security say that Israel is an independent country, they have their own state interests, and it will never become another additional star on the American flag.

"We respect the democratic system of the USA, but they must remember that Israel is an independent state, not just another star on the American flag," - Israel's national security minister.

"Israel is a sovereign country that makes decisions in accordance with the will of its people and not as a result of pressure from abroad, including its best friends," - the Prime Minister of Israel.

In his speech, Fridon Injia also reminded the president about the position of the government of Turkey, a strategic partner of Georgia, a neighboring country, which, according to the deputy, is a member of NATO and constantly fights for the interests of its people and country.

In addition, the chairman of the political group believes that the country's president and the government should properly understand the role of strategically important neighboring countries based on the interests of Georgia and the Georgian people.

"Economically, the real strategic neighboring countries for our country are: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, from which Georgia receives the main energy carriers - gas, oil, electricity, essential products for primary consumption, which allows strengthening and strengthening of the Georgian economy," said the deputy.

Fridon Injia negatively assessed the statement made by the country's president, according to which Salome Zurabishvili does not support the issue of restoring air traffic between Georgia and Russia.

"I think that you are making statements without looking ahead, against the interests of up to one million Georgians and the interests of their relatives living in Georgia, whose number is more than a million, who voted for you.

I believe that the restoration of air traffic between Sakatvelo and Russia is a humanitarian act, so that people can communicate with each other. We should try in every possible way to make life as easy as possible for our citizens and compatriots living in Georgia and Russia in terms of communication. We should seek and strengthen economic relations that will be beneficial for both countries. This will be the bridge over which the solution to our big problem, heartache, which is called the integration of Georgia, will pass.

The restoration of air traffic will provide a considerable benefit to the economy of the state as well as to our fellow citizens, and in case of restrictions and flight bans, who will compensate for the loss?

Are the statements made by you an action directed against the interests of Georgia? Who is responsible for this? why are you talking like that Whose president are you?" Fridon Injia asked the president.

Georgian diasporas abroad made a great contribution to the strengthening of the GEL in the Georgian economy and the stability of the monetary and credit system;

The most difficult task for the Georgian government today is to stop migration, otherwise Georgia as a state will no longer exist and will be scattered in different countries as a Georgian diaspora;

The one million Georgian diaspora living in the Russian Federation, using public diplomacy, should become a bridge for direct dialogue with Russia. start

Chairman of the parliamentary political group "European Socialists" Fridon Injia announced this at the meeting of the Diaspora Affairs Committee.

At the meeting of the Committee on Diaspora Issues of the Parliament of Georgia, information on the activities of the Department of Diaspora Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2022 was heard, which was presented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Konstantinidis.

The chairman of the political group, Fridon Injia, requested an explanation from the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on what principle the Ministry records the Georgian diaspora in different countries, because the information presented by the Deputy Minister clearly contains inaccuracies.

For example, Fridon Ingia named the Republic of Turkey, Italy and the Russian Federation, where the number of diaspora does not correspond to the official information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All the more if we take into account the statement of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, that, for example, up to a million of our compatriots live in the Russian Federation.

According to the MP's assessment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have full information about what specific economic progress is being made in Georgia through Georgian diasporas working abroad, based on the same export, remittances and various economic indicators.

"The population should have accurate information about what kind of economic relationship the Georgian government has with the Georgian diaspora abroad, because the development of the Georgian economy depends to a large extent on the remittances carried out by the Georgian diaspora abroad, and it should be noted that a large share comes from the Russian Federation. The society and the population should know on what basis the state and the government were able to achieve a 2-digit economic growth, which became the basis for the salary increase of at least 10 _% for the employees of public services and law enforcement bodies. It is clear that the Georgian diasporas abroad have made a great contribution to the strengthening of the Georgian lari and the stability of the monetary and credit system. - said Fridon Injia.

At the meeting of the political group, the chairman of the committee was also interested in the future visions and plans of the Ministry in relation to the young ambassadors.

"Do you have a bank of young ambassadors, which the ministry will have as a kind of reserve, because I believe that the ministry should have determined exactly how to use their knowledge and ability to strengthen the homeland." - said Fridon Injia.

The deputy drew attention to the problem of population outflow from the country, which, in his estimation, is the most difficult task for the government and it must be solved.

"I believe that the main function of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Diaspora should be to return fellow citizens who have left the country, and if it is not possible to return them, the state should use their capabilities as much as possible based on the country's interests. Otherwise, Georgia as a state will no longer exist and will be scattered in various countries as a diaspora. As you know, there are such nations that do not have a state and they are represented in certain groups in different countries. If we do not stop migration and population outflow, then Georgia will not exist anymore. This is the most difficult task that our government has to solve today." - said Fridon Injia.

According to the chairman of the political group, despite the fact that Georgia does not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation, the Georgian government should do everything to maximize the potential of Georgian compatriots working in Russia, in particular, businessmen, for the benefit of the country's interests.

The deputy cited as an example the business association created by Georgian compatriots in Russia not so long ago, which works quite actively on important strategic directions for Georgia, such as attracting investments, main energy carriers, oil, gas, as well as importing wheat and primary consumption products and many others. An important issue.

"Everything that is of strategic purpose for the country comes largely from Russia. Today, there is a lot of talk about strategic partners, but the reality is that the country stands on those diasporas who work abroad, and the largest share comes from the Georgian diaspora living in the Russian Federation. - said the deputy.

Therefore, Fridon Injia believes that the role of the state must be activated in relation to Georgian diasporas working abroad.

"The head of the Georgian diaspora in the Russian Federation, Davit Tsetskhladze, is doing a great Georgian job today. It practically plays the role of an embassy and helps our compatriots in every possible way. It works on various cultural and economic projects important for Georgia. This person managed to unite various diasporic organizations that cooperate with each other. It is a sad fact that in many countries diasporas are not able to cooperate with each other and in many cases they protect each other. Therefore, it is necessary and important to activate the role of the state with the view of closer cooperation with the Georgian diaspora".

"The one million Georgian diaspora living in the Russian Federation, using public diplomacy, should become a bridge for starting a direct dialogue with Russia. Therefore, the correct and consistent policy of the state will be the basis for making some progress in the political relations between the two countries. Without dialogue, there will be no result. You are the executive power, which is obliged to do what the country needs based on the interests of the country and not to listen to those who want to pursue their interests in our homeland. It gives the impression that your steps in this direction are not bold and certain factors will hinder you. Maybe some embassy dictates this to you, but I assure you, you should act only based on the interests of the country."

"As a result of the actions of the previous government, Georgia lost 20% of territories and today military units are stationed there. With this, they blocked Transcaucasia. They have everything guaranteed. They stand 30 kilometers away. Therefore, our task should be to somehow get out of the situation. We have to correct the mistakes of the previous government, and without starting a direct dialogue, we will not have results." - Fridon Injia believes.

The deputy also drew attention to the Middle Corridor project, which, due to the geopolitical location of Georgia, is the most important and alternative project today, since it can become a guarantee of the country's protection and stability.

Fridon Injia also reminded the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the role of the state of Azerbaijan as one of the most important strategic partners for Georgia and noted that the deepening of relations between the two countries is necessary and necessary.

The chairman of the political group proposed to the members of the committee and the representatives of the Ministry that the days of Georgian culture should be organized more intensively abroad, and the greater involvement of Georgian television stations and the more active use of television air will be very effective.

On his part, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Konstantinidis, noted that the issues and proposals raised by Fridon Injia will definitely be taken into account in the future plan of the Ministry.

The speech of the chairman of the political group "European Socialists" of the Parliament of Georgia, Fridon Injia, from the tribune of the highest legislative body, where Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili was listened to by way of interpellation;

What does the EU candidate status give to the population of Georgia?

From the 12-point recommendation of the European Union, the main cornerstone of the article on depolarization is the surrender of power by the current government of Georgia;

Aggravating the situation - you create chaos for those destructive forces who have no hope of winning through elections. Therefore, the most important thing in these political battles is the enforcement of the law, the supremacy of the law;

In his speech, the chairman of the political group reviewed and evaluated the current political topics and also drew attention to the actions taking place in front of the parliament on March 7-8, which were organized by the so-called radical forces. It was organized in connection with the law "On Agents".

According to the deputy, based on the interests of Georgia, during the last 10 years, the government of the country signed the Association Agreement, which legally defines the state's economic and, to some extent, political relations. The association agreement also provides for free trade relations with the European Union, which, according to Fridon Injia, is not fully used in Georgia's conditions, and it is necessary for the Georgian government to work more in this regard.

According to the chairman of the political group, Georgia has also signed an agreement that provides for visa-free travel with the European Union. At the same time, it is important that, in addition to the association agreement, Georgia has deeper, direct political and economic relations with the EU member states, which are accepted in the civilized world, and this is very welcome.

"I would like to draw attention to the European perspective of Georgia, which was awarded to the country last year, and I would like to point out that it is not clear to me what the European perspective entails. Out of the three countries (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia) with the existing parameters, Georgia and its government deserved the candidate status the most.

Even, for example, let's take the judicial system of Georgia, regarding which there is a great agitation from the radical political groups. Nevertheless, by European standards, it was found that the Georgian judicial system is one of the most advanced.

It is not clear to me what the EU candidate status gives to the population? For example, what will a farmer in Ambrolauri district get if he is granted candidate status? Also, I wonder what the population of Georgia has lost economically due to this decision in one year? What does the EU candidate status give us more than what Georgia has already received in practical terms?

I am asking these questions so that the government is ready for anything. And the population of Georgia should know if there is any kind of danger, apart from the threats that we hear so often in the form of political pressure". - said Fridon Injia.

The chairman of the political group is sure that, out of the 12 points of the European Union, it is practically impossible to fulfill Eurocashier's request for depolarization, because the cornerstone of depolarization is the surrender of power by the current government of Georgia.

According to the deputy, during the last years, there is constant speculation and appeal regarding the position of strategic partners in relation to various important issues of the country, and practically, the political agenda of Georgia revolves around strategic partners.

"I am interested in whether Georgia receives from its strategic partners energy carriers of vital purpose, such as electricity, petroleum products, gas, wheat, butter, oil, sugar, fish, pasta, rice, cereals, etc., with which the population of Georgia is filled Basic shopping cart. And if so, in the event of its termination, does the government have alternative ways? Do we have an alternative to importing energy trains and basic consumer products, and how economical will this alternative be for the country?" said Fridon Injia.

To a certain extent, the deputy called it a paradox when, despite the ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine still pays billions of funds to the Russian government for the transportation of energy trains, such as natural gas. The same can be said about European countries, which receive energy trains from Russia and economically cooperate with it. And Georgia, as a small state, is told by the radical forces operating in the country that Georgia should not have economic relations with Russia.

The deputy believes that it is important for the government of the country to have a correctly formed principled position in relation to these issues, again and again based on the interests of the country.

According to the chairman of the political group, the main task in the national defense strategy should be to maintain peace in the country, to avoid any escalation and to not sound any weapons. All the more, based on the situation when the danger of nuclear war is becoming more and more real and the situation is not moving towards complete neutralization and calming down, but on the contrary, the tension is reaching its peak.

In his speech, Fridon Injia assessed the political events taking place in front of the parliament on March 7-8 and noted that the protest was the so-called According to the Russian law, there was only an excuse for unrest and the goal of the radical forces was to change the government in the country in this way. In the end, these events created an additional danger in the country.

"Based on the rhetoric, calls, extremist spirit, or radical actions of the action in front of the parliament, while this was not a Russian law and was only an excuse to cause unrest in the country, military units and high-tech military air and ground equipment were additionally brought into the territory of Abkhazia. Here, the country got this result and an additional threat was created in the state, instead of us, our brothers, Abkhazians and Ossetians, and start a direct dialogue with them and thus set an example for others." - said Fridon Injia.

The deputy believes that due to the events taking place on March 7-8, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had the greatest role and responsibility in terms of preventing disturbances and escalation, for which the Ministry really deserved the highest praise. However, Fridon Injia negatively evaluates the government's loyal attitude towards the participants of the rally who have committed crimes and have not been punished to date.

"There was no proper response from the government to those persons who were carrying out destructive actions and violating the law during the action. These persons have not been punished to date, thus the law has not been enforced. You have full support in the regions, and the population expects the law to be enforced against these individuals. To strain the situation, you are creating chaos for those destructive forces who have no hope of winning through the elections. Therefore, in these political battles, the most important thing is to enforce the law, the supremacy of the law, half-fulfillment of the law, kills the law." - noted Fridon Injia.

📍 In the end, the "National Movement" will collapse

🔹 We have to postpone the draft law on the transparency of foreign influence, although it will still be acceptable, but the American version of this draft law

🔹 The recent events surrounding the bills on the transparency of foreign influence have awakened the "National Movement", which is on the verge of collapse, but in the end, it will still collapse.

🔹 This was stated by the chairman of the parliamentary political group "European Socialists" Fridon Injia on the air of Sezoni TV.

🔹 "Unfortunately, this situation woke up the "National Movement", which was on the verge of collapse. However, a few days ago, when the April 9 rally was announced by their representatives, namely Merabishvili, the controversy started here again, including within the "National Movement". I think that in the end the "national movement" will disintegrate", said Fridon Injia.

🔹 Speaking about the draft law on agents of foreign influence, the MP said that this draft law has already worked and clearly identified groups, non-governmental organizations and two-three-member parties united with them. And now, the state must take upon itself the obligation to protect the country.

🔹 "Society should know from which country non-governmental organizations are financed and how it is used. I, as a citizen, ask - to what extent do the interests of that country coincide with the interests of my country? Most of the 15-17 thousand people who came to the rally - 95% - had not read this law. Georgia is not only Tbilisi, the regions and other cities did not know at all what was happening in the capital, what the young people were doing.

🔹 As you know, such a law works in the USA. I do not support the second project, which I call a half-law, and which has only an accounting function. We need to adopt the law that works in the United States - strict and results-oriented. Those who fall under the scope of that law are obliged to describe in detail the income, its purpose and the utilization of funds.

🔹 I think we should postpone these discussions now, but, in the end, today or tomorrow, this law will still be acceptable", said MP Injia.


🔹 Chairman of the parliamentary political group "European Socialists" Fridon Injia believes that the rule of law should occupy the most important place in the way of building a democratic state. In his opinion, if not, the harmful practice of law enforcement established in Georgia, the political events developed in the country in recent days, would not have taken such a radical form.

🔹 The MP believes that the "syndrome of impunity" established in Georgia has been well demonstrated by the so-called During the rallies held in front of the parliament building regarding the "Agents" law, when the representatives of the radical forces acted in unacceptable ways for a peaceful protest.

🔹 According to the deputy, the radical part of the rally participants almost broke into the state institution. They started a fire, used the so-called Molotov cocktails at the police. Unfortunately, no one has been punished to date.

🔹 "This is what we call "rule of law" and this is what is destroying our country, our statehood. Such actions, which are called improper execution of the law, kill and destroy the law. The law must be supreme and supreme. Then everything will be fine in the country." - said Fridon Injia.

🔹 The chairman of the political group does not rule out the repetition of similar actions by radical forces, but he is sure that they will ultimately not achieve their goal.