Georgian Parliament official rejects claims over Eagle Hills project, says critics seek to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty

The unprecedented investment proposed under the Eagle Hills project provides additional, significant guarantees for Georgia’s economic development and growth, said on Monday David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules.

In his remarks, Matikashvili stressed that the claims that “two Arab settlements are being built” were false, noting that the project was envisaging European-style Georgian residential areas employing Georgian citizens.

“Our country’s adversaries dislike the fact that Georgia’s sovereignty is being further consolidated and strengthened alongside its economic power. This is why there were attempts to stir anxiety and mislead the public. In reality, no ‘two Arab settlements’ are being built”, he said.

“As the Prime Minister noted, these will be two attractive, European-type Georgian settlements, where our citizens will be employed - more than 20,000 in temporary positions and over 8,000 in permanent jobs. The country will receive billions of GEL in revenue, and, of course, no land will be sold to foreigners”, Matikashvili concluded.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday commented on the Eagle Hills project, saying that when an investment initiative brings tangible benefits for the country’s development, it is not surprising that Georgia’s ill-wishers from abroad mobilise their networks to act against it.