Georgia aims to be among Europe’s least corrupt, PM says after energy official’s arrest

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday reiterated his government’s “ambitious goal” of making Georgia one of the top three least corrupt countries in Europe, following the arrest of senior energy official Romeo Mikautadze on corruption-related charges.

Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze said the government remained committed to transparency and institutional reform, while urging the public to await the results of the ongoing investigation.

“We have a stated ambitious goal - to enter the top three in Europe in terms of the lowest levels of corruption,” Kobakhidze said. “Corruption hinders the development of the country, so this must remain one of our top priorities. Everything will be done to fight corruption as much as possible.”

While declining to comment on the details of Mikautadze’s case, which is being handled by law enforcement authorities, Kobakhidze noted that “many changes have been made” within the government to bolster anti-corruption efforts.

Mikautadze, a former First Deputy Minister of Economy, was arrested last week. Asked whether senior officials such as Tbilisi Mayor [former energy minister] Kakha Kaladze or Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili - both of whom previously worked with Mikautadze - would be questioned, the PM said the case related specifically to Mikautadze’s activities at the Ministry of Economy.

“As for Levan Davitashvili, no one doubts his integrity,” Kobakhidze added. “I cannot speak to the details - this is the responsibility of the relevant law enforcement agencies. I thank everyone involved in investigating such cases.”