Mayor Kaladze hails PM’s UN speech, claims Georgia ready to promote regional peace

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has praised Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, saying it covered the key issues concerning Georgia, its future and regional challenges.

Kobakhidze addressed the General Debate in New York on Thursday, emphasising peace, international cooperation, Georgia’s sovereignty and the country’s role in promoting stability in the South Caucasus.

“We listened to the Prime Minister’s statement with pride. He spoke about all the important issues related to our country and its future, as well as the situation and challenges in the region,” Kaladze said.

He highlighted Kobakhidze’s call for peace and said the PM had also discussed Georgia’s economic development, pointing to what Kaladze described as the country’s recent economic performance.

Kaladze further added Georgia was prepared to use international platforms to contribute to strengthening peace in the region.

The Tbilisi mayor also addressed Georgia’s relations with the United States following Kobakhidze’s visit to New York, saying the Georgian government was ready to “start a new page” in bilateral relations.

“For us, it is fundamentally important that relations are friendly and properly developed in terms of strategic partnership. The Georgian government is ready to take concrete steps to start relations on a new page,” Kaladze said.

He criticised the previous US administration, saying he considered its policies towards Georgia and the Georgian people unfair and unfriendly, while expressing hope that the current US administration could improve those relations.

Kaladze said Georgia’s approach was based on defending the country’s sovereignty and national interests, which he argued was consistent with the approach taken by other states.