PM Kobakhidze says US administration, ‘European bureaucracy’ invested in Georgia's economy only between 2009 and 2011

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said the United States and the "European bureaucracy” invested directly in Georgia’s economy only once, between 2009 and 2011, arguing that Western partners have otherwise failed to provide meaningful economic support.

Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze said countries that genuinely want to assist another nation should invest in its economy, adding that such support strengthens the recipient country.

“The only time money was injected into Georgia’s economy was between 2009 and 2011 by the previous US administration and the European bureaucracy,” Kobakhidze said. He claimed the assistance was intended to support “the Saakashvili regime” following the 2008 war.

The Prime Minister criticised the European Union's approach towards Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, arguing that Brussels had not provided sufficient economic assistance despite those countries’ aspirations to join the bloc.

Kobakhidze also accused the “deep state” of seeking to keep partner countries politically and economically weak to make them easier to influence, alleging that this policy had affected Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.