Georgian PM calls on commercial entities to cooperate with UK-sanctioned TV channels, assures no risk

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze has called on all commercial entities to continue cooperating with two television companies recently sanctioned by the UK government, assuring that no Georgian company will face any risks.

Kobakhidze was responding to a question about whether Cartu Bank would continue its cooperation with Imedi TV and POSTV after the UK government imposed sanctions on the two broadcasters.

“I am not a representative of this particular commercial organisation. The only thing I can say is this - as head of government, I can call on all commercial entities, without exception, to cooperate with both television companies. No Georgian company will face any risk”, the PM said.

He further pledged stability in the country, emphasising that fundamental freedoms would not be affected.

“I promise everyone that nothing will collapse in this country - neither media freedom nor freedom of enterprise. No person’s fundamental rights will be put at risk”, Kobakhidze continued.

Kobakhidze also recalled what he described as attacks on media and businesses during the period when the United National Movement was in power before 2012.

“When your party was in government before 2012, one of the main targets was media freedom and freedom of enterprise. Business racketeering and the seizure of television stations were the hallmark of your party’s rule. This will not succeed now, no matter who helps you”, he said, addressing a representative of opposition-aligned media.

He stressed that no commercial entity or television company would encounter difficulties.

“All business entities and all television companies will continue operating without interruption and without any damage. Everything will be fine. We fully control the situation. Accordingly, everything will be done - and we have every means to ensure - that not the slightest obstacle is created in Georgia either for television companies in exercising the fundamental right to media freedom, for banks in exercising their commercial rights, or for any other business entity in exercising the fundamental right to entrepreneurial freedom”, he concluded.