Prime Minister of Georgia has extended his birthday wishes to Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of Georgian Dream.

“I congratulate Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili on his 70th jubilee! His role in the modern history of our country is irreplaceable.

At an exceptionally difficult time for Georgia, when democracy, the rule of law, human dignity, freedom of enterprise, property rights, freedom of the press, and other supreme values lay trampled underfoot; when a foreign-controlled government posed a constant threat to the country’s security, it was Bidzina Ivanishvili who brought about a turning point in the life of both the nation and the state.

Democracy and the rule of law took root in Georgia; freedom of business and media pluralism were restored; the country came to be led by the first government since the restoration of independence under which Georgia has not been at war; the national economy and budget have quadrupled; and Georgia has reclaimed its independence and sovereign statehood.

In 2012, under a criminal regime, a man with a lot to lose, at great personal risk, transformed the life of the country. He put aside his own personal safety and well-being and literally sacrificed himself to save Georgia from the criminal rule of a foreign agency. Only a person with a special love for his homeland could take such a step.

Along with patriotism, changing a criminal regime supported from the outside required special wisdom and intelligence. In 2011, no one believed that changing the regime through elections was possible under the conditions of complete violation of democracy and the rule of law. However, what everyone thought was impossible, Bidzina Ivanishvili made possible through grandmaster calculations and moves.

That same extraordinary love for country and wisdom was required when, after 2022, Georgia had to be guided away from the path of events that brought existential catastrophe upon Ukraine. Here too, standing firm against the immense pressure and blackmail directed at our country, and at Bidzina Ivanishvili personally, required, on the one hand, a profound devotion to the homeland and, on the other, exceptional wisdom and intellect. That Georgia, throughout this most arduous period over the past four years, has preserved peace, continued rapid economic growth, and resolutely consolidated its independence and sovereignty, is owed directly to Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Bidzina Ivanishvili has established within Georgian politics a culture of patient, measured statesmanship, absence of which, since the restoration of independence, cost our country so many grievous errors. I am sure that under his leadership, the ruling team will continue to achieve great success for the benefit of Georgia.

I once again congratulate Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili on his jubilee, wish him long life and the fulfilment of all his goals”, - writes Irakli Kobakhidze.