Georgian PM claims dispute between ruling party founder, Credit Suisse “purely political”

Georgian PM claims dispute between ruling party founder, Credit Suisse...

Kobakhidze claimed a “direct mention” of the case in a document by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control last week, sanctions against Ivanishvili, supported his allegation of the dispute being politically charged.“A few months ago, we were assured that the dispute with Credit Suisse was purely a commercial matter and had nothing to do with politics. However, we held completely different beliefs and assessments. The recent direct mention of the case in the sanctions document confirmed that the dispute with Credit Suisse is not a commercial issue, but rather a significant political matter”, the Prime Minister told a press conference earlier today.Kobakhidze traced the origins of the conflict back to 2008 and linked it to an alleged misappropriation of Ivanishvili's account that he said had begun after the businessman ceased communications with Georgia’s then-President Mikheil Saakashvili.Kobakhidze asserted the nature of the dispute had been “mischaracterised”, alleging “significant political influences” had “affected management decisions” at Credit Suisse.“The robbery of Ivanishvili's account began in 2008, following his decision to stop communicating with Saakashvili. This break in communication appears to have led to a long-standing case of account robbery that has persisted for many years. Of course, this is not merely a commercial dispute”, he added.Highlighting the devaluation of the bank's shares, Kobakhidze remarked that such a decline suggested a “lack of commercial interest in pursuing the matter”. Instead, he argued, the dispute reflected a “broader narrative of political engagement rather than legitimate business concerns”.“Credit Suisse has severely damaged its reputation due to this dispute. Since 2008, the value of its shares has fallen nearly 100 times, indicating a lack of commercial interest in the matter. From a business perspective, Credit Suisse was not genuinely interested in pursuing this dispute. Instead, it appeared to be driven by political influences affecting the management of the company, which ultimately shaped how the case was handled”, he said.He added “the public will come to their own conclusions about the rest of the matter” on the dispute being allegedly related to politics.

PM ignores the statement of the Helsinki Commission Chairman

Kobakhidze emphasized that when a politician does not speak the truth, it has no effect on Georgian society."We often see that when such intensive statements are made by certain politicians or officials, there are usually signs of specific financial interests. I don’t know what the situation is in this case, but in any event, I wouldn’t pay much attention to it. The important thing is that the public has learned everything. First and foremost, the public has learned that no single politician should be followed blindly in their statements. You remember that the European Parliament passed 5 resolutions, but they couldn’t influence the public, because what matters to the public is what the truth is. When they see that a specific politician is not speaking the truth, these statements are no longer relevant to the public. Therefore, I would advise everyone to refrain from such fruitless campaigns. These cannot cause any special turmoil in Georgian society, and they won’t have an effect on the public. The only thing that influences Georgian society is the truth, and we have done a lot for that."The goal is this: "They activated the Republican politician because someone wants to create the perception of continued problems under Trump’s terms. We expect something different from the new administration. Our hand is extended. We offer the new administration a fresh start in strategic partnership, a qualitative renewal, and a rehabilitation of the relationship, which is not in a healthy state today. We hope that there will be reciprocal pragmatic steps from the new president’s administration. This is in the interest of both countries – Georgia and the United States,” Kobakhidze said.For reference, American Congressman and Helsinki Commission Chairman Joe Wilson stated that President Donald Trump made it very clear what his position is regarding America's self-declared enemies."If Bidzina Ivanishvili takes Georgia’s democracy to the point of destruction on December 29, he should expect a response he could never imagine," Wilson wrote.

Expo Georgia Director: Economy is entering a crisis

“I have such an offer to the “government”.While “Trump is fighting the Deep State”, let’s stop paying your salaries and bonuses and reimburse your expenses.A group of unrecognized, sanctioned and unconstitutional people who are playing the government, with orders, inaugurations and meaningless comments, it seems that you have no other function than to annoy and provoke citizens.The economy is entering a crisis, development projects are suspended and people will start starving in a few months!In this situation, instead of offering us ways to overcome the crisis, first give us until January 20, then say "it will take a little more time" and now "if".Remove all the privileges that you have received from the pockets of already needy citizens with a 40% tax.When you say "we will stand firm", the people of Rustaveli will show you this," - wrote the director of "Expo Georgia", Resan Kikava on the social network.

Georgian Parliament enforces yellow security level for presidential in...

A yellow security level will be in effect during the Presidential inauguration ceremony, restricting public access to the Parliament building. Media outlets seeking to cover the event must obtain special accreditation, with a maximum of two crews allowed per outlet.The Parliament will set up a dedicated media space in the Rustaveli Hall (B Block, ground floor) where journalists can watch the inauguration and record interviews.The Parliament will provide a broadcast signal for live coverage of the ceremony.Members of the electoral college, representatives of the government and constitutional bodies, and representatives of the Orthodox Church - a total of 300 people - have been invited to the inauguration.On December 14, the elections for the sixth President were held in the Parliament building of Georgia. 224 delegates of the Georgian Dream voted for the sole candidate, Mikheil Kavelashvili.Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili called the election of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president, a “provocation” and a “parody.”A rally was held in front of the parliament in parallel with Kavelashvili’s presidential election.For the 29th day, demonstrators in the capital and regions have been protesting the decision made in the “Georgian Dream,” according to which Georgia will not put the issue of opening negotiations for accession to the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028.Since November 28, police have detained more than 400 participants of the rally, including more than 40 people who were arrested under criminal law and face several years in prison.

Georgian Agriculture Minister, Turkish Ambassador discuss trade, econo...

Songulashvili highlighted the importance of the share of agriculture in development of the Georgian economy, and expressed interest in sharing Turkey's experience, while also emphasising that existing “friendly and partnership relations” between the two countries were a “basis for effective cooperation”.The Minister also pointed out the importance of diversifying Georgia's markets, with the parties also discussing deepening of the cooperation in fisheries, livestock, irrigation, forestry and waste management, and agricultural mechanisation.On his part, Orbai noted the countries were “connected by historical friendship and partnership”, which he said represented an “important prerequisite for deepening cooperation in various directions”.The meeting also noted the importance of increasing exports of Georgian products to Turkey, as well as deepening cooperation between Georgian wine producers and the HoReCa, hotels, restaurants and cafés sector of Turkey.