Georgian PM says preserving “national, religious identity” top priority, vows strong action against illegal migration

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said his Government's main national task was to ensure the preservation of “our national and religious identity”, and accordingly, maximum efforts would be made to combat illegal migration in the country.

Speaking in Parliament during an interpellation session, Kobakhdize noted that the strategy approved in 2020 includes relatively less tangible measures in this regard, and the new strategy may be reflected in an updated document that would create the means for effectively combating illegal migration.

“This year, according to our plan, approximately 4,000 illegal migrants are to be expelled from our country, which means that in a few years we could completely eliminate illegal migration in Georgia. We believe this is a more effective strategy than what was reflected in the document approved in 2020. Of course, there is a high level of public interest given the developments, particularly in European Union countries”, he said.

“Naturally, everyone fears that the same situation will not be repeated in our country. You can see how the share of migrants in the population is increasing in certain EU countries. Certainly, one of our top national priorities is to ensure the preservation of our national and religious identity. Accordingly, every effort will be made to combat illegal migration in our country. Specific measures have already been adopted for this purpose, and naturally, the implementation of these measures will continue in the future. As for speculations, there is no basis for them, and all of this is entirely motivated by political interests”, the PM concluded.