PM Kobakhidze accuses opposition of 'anti-Russian' double standards, hails transport, maritime reforms

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused opposition politicians of adopting a “contradictory stance” towards Russia since 2022, while also highlighting government efforts to modernise the country's rail network and strengthen maritime education.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Kobakhidze said opposition figures, including Elene Khoshtaria, Zurab Japaridze and former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili, had publicly supported Russian tourism, investment and business ties following the 2008 Russia-Georgia war but had since adopted a markedly different position.

He claimed opposition parties launch anti-Russian tourism campaigns during every tourist season, alleging that their objective was to undermine Georgia's national interests.

Kobakhidze argued that after the 2008 war the former United National Movement government welcomed Russian tourists, businesses and investment despite Russia's occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, while its rhetoric changed only after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The prime minister further alleged that the opposition acts on instructions from foreign actors rather than in Georgia's national interests. 

Separately, Kobakhidze described the Batumi State Maritime Academy as one of Georgia's most important educational institutions, saying the government would continue investing in its development.

He said strengthening the academy would form a key part of the government's wider education reform programme, noting the significant contribution Georgian seafarers make to the country's economy.

The prime minister also welcomed recent improvements to Georgia's passenger rail services, saying travel time between Tbilisi and Batumi had been reduced from approximately 5½ hours to under four hours following infrastructure upgrades.

Kobakhidze said the shorter journey would benefit both Georgian citizens and international visitors and added that the rail improvements were part of broader reforms implemented over the past year, with further modernisation projects planned.