Georgian PM dismisses claims that Ukraine or Moldova are ahead of Georgia

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has rejected suggestions that Ukraine or Moldova are outperforming Georgia, describing such comparisons as “empty speculation”.

Kobakhidze said the current situation in both countries makes such claims unfounded.

“We all see what the situation is in Ukraine and Moldova,” he said.

The prime minister pointed to the consequences of the war in Ukraine from 2022, describing conditions there as very difficult. He said the country’s economy has been severely weakened, infrastructure damaged and the humanitarian situation significantly worsened, while also alleging that corruption remained a major issue.

Kobakhidze added that Moldova faced its own challenges, describing it as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe. He argued that this has had a negative impact on its economic growth and broader institutional development.

According to the prime minister, Georgia has widened the economic gap with Moldova in recent years, stating that the difference between the two economies has increased by approximately $14bn over the past five years.

He said this divergence reflected, in part, differences in governance and institutional stability.

“In such circumstances, claims that Moldova or Ukraine are ahead of Georgia are empty speculation,” Kobakhidze said.