Georgia’s growth resulted from following national interests, not Brussels, says Parliament Speaker
Shalva Papuashvili
Photo: Parliament of Georgia
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday said the World Bank’s forecast that Georgia’s economy would grow by 5.5 percent in 2026 was primarily the result of following national interests rather than Brussels’ guidance.
In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that looking at the situation today, the results were even clearer.
“Simple comparisons illustrate the point. Take Ukraine - currently at war - its economic growth figures reflect a recovery process after a decline of more than 30 percent due to the conflict. As for Moldova, where is the $1.8 billion supposedly meant to boost the economy? You may recall an ambassador boasting that Moldova receives $1.8 billion, but he failed to mention that 95 percent of that is a loan. Why doesn’t that show up in the economic data?” the Speaker pointed out.
“The reason is simple: Moldova followed Brussels, we did not. We pursued our national interests and the interests of our society, aiming to increase prosperity rather than damage the country. And we are now seeing the results”, he continued.
Papuashvili further added that this was a lesson for everyone - “you must follow your national interests, not the directives of others”.
“Had we obeyed Brussels’ instructions, the economic growth figures would have remained a dream. But today this growth is reality because we acted in line with the interests of Georgian society and Georgia itself”, he concluded.
According to the World Bank forecast, Georgia’s economy is expected to grow by 5.5% in 2026, compared to 2.0% in Ukraine and 2.7% in Moldova.
All News
03 April 2026, 12:02
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official accuses opposition of seeking to destabilise country
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday accused the domestic opposition of deliberately attempting to destabilise the country, deepen internal divisions, and undermine both peace-focused policy and the national economy.
02 April 2026, 20:30
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgian Gov’t pursues peace-focused policy amid global challenges
Davit Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and chair of the Parliament’s committee on procedural issues and rules, on Thursday said that in response to the ongoing global challenges, the Georgian government was pursuing a policy strictly focused on peace.
02 April 2026, 19:38
Politics
Georgian Parliament official accuses NGO representatives of deliberately undermining country
Irakli Kadagishvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s regional policy and self-government committee, on Thursday addressed recent statements made by domestic NGO members before the Dutch Parliament, accusing them of deliberately attempting to undermine the country.
02 April 2026, 15:51
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen reiterates Georgian Government’s readiness to reset relations with United States
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday reiterated Georgian Government's readiness to reset relations with the United States, expressing optimism that the bilateral partnership will move past recent tensions.
02 April 2026, 15:34
Foreign policy
Georgian President highlights commitment to EU integration, criticises Brussels bureaucracy
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Thursday addressed the current state of relations between Georgia and the European Union, emphasising that Tbilisi has not walked away from the negotiating table.
02 April 2026, 14:15
Foreign policy
Georgian President says Georgia’s role as key Middle Corridor hub gains importance in changing geopolitical landscape
Maintaining the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation between our countries significantly relies on continuing high-level meetings, said on Thursday Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili.
02 April 2026, 14:09
Foreign policy
Georgian President: Georgia and Slovakia share common vision based on peace, stability, protection of national interests
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Thursday emphasised that Georgia and Slovakia were sharing a common vision based on peace, stability, and protection of national interests.
02 April 2026, 13:44
Foreign policy
Slovak President says Georgia plays key role in stabilising South Caucasus region
Slovakia highly appreciates the open cooperation between Georgia and Slovakia in the United Nations and other international organisations, said on Thursday the Slovak president Peter Pellegrini.
02 April 2026, 13:33
Foreign policy
Slovakia fully respects Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, says Slovak President
Slovakia fully respects the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, said on Thursday Slovak president Peter Pellegrini following a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Kavelashvili.
02 April 2026, 13:22
Foreign policy
Georgian, Slovak Presidents discuss successful cooperation
Successful cooperation between Georgia and Slovakia as well as the deepening of the existing dialogue between the two nations were discussed on Thursday in a face-to-face meeting between the Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili, who is on an official visit to Bratislava, and his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini.
02 April 2026, 12:20
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker criticises media sanction as threat to freedom of expression
Thea Tsulukiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday criticised recent British sanctions targeting Imedi TV, describing them as a direct assault on media freedom and a repeat of historical attempts to silence the broadcaster.
02 April 2026, 12:07
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker warns against painting all MEPs with the same brush
Thea Tsulukiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday called for a more nuanced view of the European Parliament, stating that not all of its members should be judged uniformly, as alternative opinions are increasingly being voiced in support of Georgia’s statehood and freedom.
02 April 2026, 11:18
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker calls Rubio-Kobakhidze call “highly significant” for Georgia-US relations
Thea Tsulukiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday described the recent phone call between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze as “highly significant”, expressing cautious optimism about the future of bilateral relations.
02 April 2026, 11:08
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Slovakia-Georgia relations showing strong positive momentum
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the foreign relations committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday said that the relations between Slovakia and Georgia were experiencing a very positive dynamic, emphasising that the ongoing visit of the Georgian president to Bratislava served as a clear reflection of this growing cooperation.
01 April 2026, 20:48
Society
“Beyond all moral boundaries”: Georgia’s National Food Agency slams false allegations of burning stray animals
The National Food Agency of Georgia (NFA) on Wednesday issued a stern response to recent allegations regarding the mistreatment of stray animals, describing claims of burning live animals as “completely groundless” and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
01 April 2026, 18:38
Politics
Georgian President departs for official visit to Slovakia
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili has departed on an official visit to Slovakia, where he will hold high-level meetings with Slovak leadership in Bratislava.
01 April 2026, 17:03
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgia ready to outline joint roadmap with US at any time
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Wednesday reviewed the prospects of rebooting Georgia-United States relations.
01 April 2026, 16:57
Economy
Georgian Parliament official: despite economic and geopolitical challenges, Georgia continues to progress
New data from the Adjusted Global Adaptation Index has placed Georgia among the world’s top ten performers, specifically ranking the nation in the top five globally for economic readiness.
01 April 2026, 16:46
Politics
Georgian Prime Minister, IMF mission head discuss key aspects of ongoing cooperation
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday held a meeting with Alejandro Hajdenberg, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, to discuss key aspects of ongoing cooperation between Georgia and the Fund.
01 April 2026, 15:34
Justice
Georgian Police detain 108 individuals in major anti-drug operation across country
Law enforcement authorities in Georgia have detained 108 individuals involved in drug trafficking and related activities as a result of a large-scale special operation conducted over the past 72 hours.