PM Kobakhidze says Georgia is “far ahead” of Ukraine and Moldova on all key indicators

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said Georgia is ahead of both Ukraine and Moldova across virtually all key indicators, despite the two countries having advanced in accession talks with the European Union.

Speaking in an interview with the programme Imedis Kvira, Kobakhidze argued that there was “practically no parameter” in which Georgia did not outperform the other two candidate states.

“There is practically no parameter by which we are not one or even ten heads ahead of both Ukraine and Moldova. These are the countries with which accession negotiations have been opened,” Kobakhidze said.

The PM said Georgia leads all EU candidate countries in every major area, including the economy, governance and anti-corruption performance.

Kobakhidze said that between 2021 and 2025, the gap between the economies of Georgia and Moldova widened by $12.5 billion, while the difference between the two countries’ state budgets increased by around $3 billion.

“These are facts. There are also numerous facts related to democracy, human rights and corruption. Moldova is one of the most corrupt countries in Europe, as is Ukraine, yet you can see that there is not even any criticism directed at them on this issue,” he said.