The President of Georgia met with professors, students, and representatives of civil society and nongovernmental organizations at the Kutaisi University today. Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the importance of Parliament’s functioning in Kutaisi, current political events and freed thieves in law within the scope of the amnesty legislation. According to the Head of State’s assessment the created situation negatively influenced the sense of safety in the society. “For me the reaction of government members is especially outrageous on the fact of their release. Big deal, amnesty let them out not us... It’s like rewinding history back to the 90s when our most visible characteristic was avoidance of responsibility. I do not want to scare anyone but thieves in law violate the sense of safety in our society. These people are going to come back to our yards” - stated Mikheil Saakashvili who compared the ongoing processes to the events of the 90s.

One of the most important topics of discussion was the necessity of leaving the Parliament Building in Kutaisi, which by the President’s assessment is an important factor.

“It is essential that they do not take away a very important idea from the Kutaisi community – the idea of regionalism, strengthening Georgia, and making it stand firmly. The idea of Parliament being in Kutaisi is much more than just an idea. This means that Georgian politics belong to the people and not only to persons living in one neighborhood.” – noted Mikheil Saakashvili. According to him, returning the Parliament Building back to Tbilisi from Kutaisi will cause the cancelation of all the projects which are being implemented in the regions. He later added that a tendency towards implementing Russian policies in the country has appeared which is a serious threat.

After the President’s address his meeting with representatives of the civil sector continued in the Q & A format.