Irakli Kobakhidze defends historical treaty and responds to jailed former PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed two distinct political issues during a recent briefing. First, he defended the historical decision of King Erekle II to sign the 1783 Treaty of Georgievsk with the Russian Empire. Kobakhidze characterized the treaty as the “only correct and unavoidable decision” for Georgia’s national interests at the time, despite the subsequent Russian annexation of the kingdom in 1801.

Second, Kobakhidze responded to an open letter from jailed former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Describing the letter as a “very problematic statement,” Kobakhidze declined to comment on its specific contents, citing ethical standards regarding his predecessor. Garibashvili has claimed that he and his family are being targeted under instructions from Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, asserting that the government bears responsibility for his safety.