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Georgia should not return to tyranny of the past - Ivanishvili

Georgia should not return to tyranny of the past - Ivanishvili

30 May 2016

Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and a former prime minister, has published an open letter expressing his views on recent Georgian politics and the upcoming elections.

The 24-page letter published on Monday expressed his views on future plans, domestic and foreign policy, and the country’s economy.

He said the country should not return to the tyranny of the past under Mikheil Saakashvili, who served as president from 2004 to 2013.

On the parliamentary elections scheduled for October, Ivanishvili said he has no plans to return to power, and that the Georgian Dream will campaign in every region and on television. 

Georgia should continue its policy of rapprochement with Europe and Euro-Atlantic institutions, but will not forget the interests of its neighbours, he said. 

The country will enter Euro-Atlantic institutions "as soon as our friends and partners will be able to open the door,” he said. Georgia is deepening integration with NATO ahead of a major summit in July but full membership is not expected.

Ivanishvili also spoke of what he saw as Georgian Dream’s successes, such as reducing Georgian’s indebtedness and putting the country on a surer economic footing.

SOURCE: commonspace.eu and agencies

PHOTO: Bidzina Ivanishvili

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