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Director-general of ADC Levan Akhvlediani has invited the government to further talks on the project. He mentioned "specific obstacles" that require "joint effort". According to past information, the only request not addressed by the government was a guarantee sought by the port investors as regards the minimum utilisation of the port. Instead of providing such a guarantee, the government has encouraged projects that, although of a much smaller size and not fully backed by financial commitments by investors, might compete with the proposed Anaklia port. One of those is south of Anaklia, in Poti.
“Of course, the decision not to cancel the contract is welcome. We believe that there are specific obstacles in the process of the project, which should be overcome through joint efforts. However, it is now necessary for both parties, including the government, to work together at the negotiating table to resolve all the issues that are crucial for the successful implementation of the project,” said Akhvlediani , adding that concrete steps should be taken with regard to investors.
According to officials, the deadline for fulfilment of all obligations under the investment agreement signed between the Government of Georgia and ADC has been postponed several times by the government since 2017.
2.6​ ​Polls & Sociology
Georgian voters ‘disappointed in government’ ahead of 2020 general election
Georgia’s ruling party Georgian Dream led by country’s sole billionaire, oligarch and ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili, remains the most popular single party in the country—however, it was losing support even before the November 14 vote in parliament that prompted street protests as lawmakers broke their promise to bring in a proportional voting system ahead of the 2020 general election, a poll commissioned by the International Republican Institute (IRI) showed.
The deterioration in the economic situation of households, felt particularly keenly by voters as inflation is accelerating, was a key driver in the loss of popularity besides what was broadly seen as the disproportionate action of the police against protesters during the June 20-21 rallies. Addressing economic issues might be an opportunity for parties eager to capitalise on the large share of undecided voters, IRI observed.
The first IRI national poll conducted in Georgia since the anti-Kremlin protests in June indicated “a continued deficit of trust in the government.”
No party has a clear lead with voters in advance of the upcoming election, but there is potential to make headway with voters by addressing economic issues which continue to be the top national concern for citizens, IRI commented. One third of voters have no preferred party at this moment.
According to the survey commissioned by IRI, if the parliamentary elections were held tomorrow, 23% would vote for Georgian Dream, while United National Movement (UNM) would get 15% of the vote while its close ally European Georgia – Free Democrats would take 5%. Scores of other substantial parties included Labor Party (5%) and Patriots Alliance (4%). Smaller scores were posted by Civil Movement (3%), New Georgia (2%), Democratic Movement-United Georgia (2%) and Lelo (2%).
11​ GEORGIA Country Report​ December 2019 ​ ​www.intellinews.com