Tbilisi Mayor calls U-20 World Cup hosting in Georgia and Armenia “joyful development”, credits peace and gov’t strategy
Kakha Kaladze
Photo: Imedi TV
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday praised FIFA’s decision to name Georgia and Armenia as hosts for the 2029 U-20 World Cup, describing the move as a major milestone for the nation.
In his interview with Imedi TV, Kaladze Kaladze linked the successful bid directly to the political climate maintained by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
“This is a fantastic and joyful decision. One thing must be said: this is what peace brings. If we did not have peace, economic development, and progress, we could not bring projects of this scale to Georgia”, the mayor said.
He added that hosting the U-20 World Cup in Georgia and Armenia is a significant achievement and a positive development for the country.
“We are once again making a commitment that the country will be fully prepared in every respect to host this tournament in a dignified manner in Georgia”, Kaladze noted.
He further thanked the leadership of theGeorgian football federation for their involvement in securing the decision, calling it an important step for the development of football, support for sports, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
“It is very important in every respect, for the development of football, for supporting sports, and for promoting a healthy lifestyle. In every way, this decision is very significant and excellent”, he concluded.
FIFA on Tuesday decided that Georgia and Armenia would host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, following a FIFA Council meeting held on April 28 in Vancouver, Canada, ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress.
All News
21 June 2026, 16:07
Society
Chair of Gov’t of Adjara: Batumi fully prepared for summer tourist season with renewed infrastructure, strong security
Zurab Pataradze, the Chair of the government of Adjara, on Saturday declared that Batumi was fully ready for the summer tourist season, highlighting renewed infrastructure, new tourist products, improved services, and exceptional hospitality, while stressing the crucial role of security and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in supporting tourism development.
21 June 2026, 15:09
Politics
Georgian Parliament official dismisses European Parliament resolution as “outrageous attempt to divide Georgian society”
Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Saturday criticised the European Parliament’s resolution on Georgia, calling it an attempt to divide society and intensify political confrontation within the country.
21 June 2026, 15:06
Politics
Georgian Parliament official says EU must learn from its mistakes and rebuild relations with Georgia
Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Saturday criticised the approach of certain EU institutions - particularly the office of Kaja Kallas - for monopolising and mismanaging relations with Georgia, describing the policy as a failure driven by a narrow “wartime agenda” of some member states.
21 June 2026, 14:29
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: no one can push Georgia out of Central Asian trade route
Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Saturday said that Georgia's position in the emerging Central Asian trade corridor was secure, arguing that the country remains the only stable gateway connecting the region to global markets and would continue to play a key role in regional connectivity.
20 June 2026, 16:35
Politics
Georgian PM: hatred has been artificially imposed on Georgia from abroad for years
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday stressed the need to improve the overall social climate in Georgia, noting that hatred has been artificially imposed from outside for years - a phenomenon foreign to Georgian culture.
20 June 2026, 15:02
Politics
Georgian PM: deepening ties with Central Asia key to unlocking Georgia’s economic, transit potential
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday emphasised that strengthening cooperation with Central Asian countries was of special importance for Georgia, highlighting the country’s role as a vital connector to the Black Sea and Western markets, which would help realise its full economic potential.
20 June 2026, 14:48
Economy
Georgian Economy Minister: Georgia’s role as Asia-Europe connector highlighted during Tajikistan visit
Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili on Saturday said that Georgia’s strategic role as a transit and logistics hub between Asia and Europe was strongly emphasised during the official visit of the Georgian government delegation to Tajikistan, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
20 June 2026, 14:41
Politics
Georgian FM: Tajikistan highly interested in Georgia’s transit potential
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Saturday described the first high-level Georgian visit to Tajikistan as an important step in expanding bilateral relations, noting that new agreements and the creation of an economic commission would deepen cooperation between the two countries.
20 June 2026, 14:28
Politics
Georgian PM: not only UNM, the entire radical opposition faces deep crisis
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said that both the United National Movement and the wider opposition were facing serious internal weaknesses, including what he described as a shortage of qualified personnel and ideas.
20 June 2026, 13:01
Politics
Georgian PM: European Parliament resolutions have lost all value
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday criticised recent European Parliament resolutions, stating that they have “lost all value”, arguing that they no longer reflect a fair approach toward the Georgian public.
19 June 2026, 21:57
Politics
Georgian FM: remarks on selective suspension of visa liberalisation directed against Georgia’s interests, society
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday criticised recent discussions in the European Parliament regarding the selective suspension of visa liberalisation, stating that such statements were politically motivated and harmful to both Georgian society and state interests.
19 June 2026, 21:55
Politics
Tajik President: agreements with Georgia lay foundation for strategic cooperation
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Friday said that the outcomes of his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze would strengthen bilateral relations and lay the groundwork for deeper strategic cooperation between the two countries.
19 June 2026, 21:53
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: Georgia ready for dialogue with EU, but “speaking from above” unacceptable
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday said that Georgia remains open to dialogue with the European Union, but stressed that what he described as a condescending approach toward the country was unacceptable.
19 June 2026, 18:41
Politics
Georgian PM, Tajik President discuss cooperation, importance of enhancing connectivity
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday held a meeting with the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, during which the sides discussed bilateral cooperation and prospects for strengthening relations between the two countries.
19 June 2026, 18:17
Politics
Georgia, Tajikistan strengthen partnership as Prime Ministers hold talks in Dushanbe
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday held a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Qohir Rasulzoda, as part of his official visit to Dushanbe. During the one-on-one talks, the two leaders highlighted the special significance of the Georgian Prime Minister’s official visit to Tajikistan, describing it as a landmark event in bilateral relations.
19 June 2026, 16:15
Foreign policy
Georgia’s ruling party official: all EU candidate countries, including Georgia, should join union that respects dignity and sovereignty of its member states
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Friday said all EU candidate countries, including Georgia, should join a union that respects the dignity and sovereignty of its member states.
19 June 2026, 15:46
Politics
“This resolution has Rasa Juknevičienė’s price tag” - Georgia’s ruling party official slams European Parliament’s resolution as ‘built on fabricated facts and falsehoods’
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the leader of the parliamentary majority and Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction, on Friday sharply criticised the latest resolution adopted by the European Parliament, claiming that it “has the price tag of” MEP Rasa Juknevičienė and is filled with falsehoods.
19 June 2026, 15:02
Justice
Tbilisi City Court sentences seven in October 4 case
Tbilisi City Court Judge Giorgi Gelashvili on Friday sentenced seven defendants in the October 4 case to prison terms for their involvement in the attempted seizure and blockade of a strategic facility, as well as participation in group violence.
19 June 2026, 12:58
Economy
Georgia’s economy grows 9% in Q1 2026
Georgia’s National Statistics Office on Friday reported that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices amounted to ₾ 24.77 billion ($9.31 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, while real GDP growth reached 9.0 % compared to the same period of the previous year. The GDP deflator increased by 2.3 % during the reporting period.
19 June 2026, 12:07
Foreign policy
Georgian Prime Minister embarks on official visit to Tajikistan
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday embarked on an official visit to Tajikistan.


