Georgian PM: Bidzina Ivanishvili’s anti-corruption pledge will be fully honoured

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday reaffirmed that the pledge made by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, two years ago to intensify the fight against corruption would be fully implemented, stressing that he personally took responsibility for fulfilling this commitment.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted the administration’s main objective was to expose crimes, combat corruption, and recover damage caused to the state.

“The main goal is to uncover crimes, fight corruption, and ensure compensation for the damage caused to the state. Everything else is interpretation. If anyone has protection or backing, the investigative agency will look into it. As for corruption, corruption exists in every country - even in Finland, which has one of the lowest rates, corruption still exists there”, Kobakhidze said.

“The promise made by Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili two years ago regarding the fight against corruption will be fully honoured, and I take responsibility for fulfilling this promise as the head of Government. In addition to actively working to uncover possible crimes committed in the past, the main promise I give you is that the Government will continue to work in a completely transparent manner”, he continued.

The Prime Minister called on anyone - politicians or citizens - to examine the acts adopted over the past year and a half, reiterating that all decisions have been made transparently.

“I can address any person - politician or non-politician, anyone - to review any act adopted over the past year and a half: everything is transparent. If they find even a single sign of corruption in any act, I am ready to answer all questions”, he concluded.