Georgian Prime Minister: campaign against Eagle Hills investment “failed”, public convinced project will benefit Georgia’s economy

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the large-scale campaign criticising the investment of Eagle Hills - particularly claims about the so-called “Arabisation” of Georgia - has failed, adding that the public has become convinced the investment is real and will contribute to the country’s economic development.

Speaking on the show Open Air Debates on Imedi TV, Kobakhidze noted the discussions allowed the public to receive more comprehensive information about the Eagle Hills investment as well as migration-related issues.

“There was a large-scale campaign surrounding the Eagle Hills investment and the so-called Arabisation, which ultimately failed. The public also became convinced that this investment is entirely real and will benefit our country’s economic development”, the PM said.

“In such circumstances, when people refuse to participate in debates, it becomes clear that they are afraid of discussions, and this was clearly demonstrated. The topics of migration and the Eagle Hills project are very relevant, and until now the public had been receiving information about these issues only in a monologue format. When you hear only one side, you naturally cannot get full information. Today there was an opportunity for discussion, and the public probably received much more information about both issues”, he continued.

The prime minister noted that the debate was largely constructive and expressed confidence that discussions in a similar format would continue on Imedi TV.

Kobakhidze further described migration and demographic trends as complex and sensitive matters, stating that his government was working to improve the situation and has already proposed relevant initiatives.

“As for migration and demographics, this is one of the complex and sensitive issues. We are doing our maximum to improve the situation in this direction, and we have already presented initiatives in this regard. Regarding the Eagle Hills investment, there was a large-scale campaign about the so-called Arabisation, which failed. When only 8 apartments out of 257 are sold to Arab citizens, it becomes clear that this campaign was completely fabricated”, he noted.

“We also had the opportunity to discuss the financial aspect, and the public has likely become convinced that this investment is absolutely real and will contribute to our country’s economic development”, Kobakhidze concluded.