During her traditional brifing, Manana Manjgaladze focused attention to the 2012 year budget, which the Georgian Government has already submitted to the Parliament for review. The Press Speaker mentioned all other issues that will depend on the budget for next year namely, agriculture, education, energy and infrastructural projects.
As the President’s Press Speaker stated, aside from the Ten Point Plan, the 2012 budget envisions modernizing and developing our country. According to her, the main goal of the government is to overcome the problem of unemployment.
“The 2012 budget project has already been submitted to the legislative body. The Parliament of Georgia and the society will have a chance to get involved actively in the budget review process. Various governmental bodies have been ordered to finalize their positions so that next year’s budget is passed in a timely fashion” – she stated.
Manana Manjgaladze also noted that the 2012 budget is equal to 7.673 billion GEL and it grew by 323 million GEL compared to last year. The money is distributed to such priorities as developing agriculture, renewing relevant technologies (including organizing the amelioration system as well as developing vineyards and wineries); Implementing the projects in the healthcare sphere, especially pensions and sophistication of the insurance system for the socially unprotected. It is also planned to raise salaries of certified teachers and improve school infrastructure around the country.
The Press Speaker of the President also talked about the rehabilitation work which is planned by the government of Georgia in the Kakheti Region. Manana Manjgaladze stated that the government also has interesting plans regarding Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi, Gori and Telavi. Important projects will begin to be implemented in Zugdidi before the end of the year and the rehabilitation work that has already begun in Mtskheta and Kutaisi will continue.
“The government is also planning very interesting projects in Racha, Guria and Imereti. Aside from the projects already started in the regions as well as organizing and developing infrastructure, the government also has a goal to employ the local population” – noted the President’s Press Speaker.
Manana Manjagaladze also touched on the issue of the membership of Russia in the WTO. According to her, for the first time, Georgia will have a chance to have complete information regarding the movement of cargo on the Georgian-Russian border as well as other information regarding economic relations. Aside from this, such information will be available to the international community, which according to Manjgaladze is a serious success of Georgian diplomacy.
“I would like to stress one more time that Georgia has supported the compromise offer of Switzerland as a result of very difficult negotiations. The decision is based on the initial position of the government of Georgia, at the beginning of negotiations” – stated the Press Speaker and added - “After hesitating for a long time, Russia accepted the above-mentioned offer and now, only the technical and procedural details are left to be decided”
Manana Manjgaladze also focused attention on Foreign Affairs and noted that the NATO Secretary General will visit Georgia. Anders Fogh Rasmussen will hold meetings with the President and the Prime Minister of Georgia.
In the end, on behalf of the President, Manana Manjgaladze once again extended condolences to the families of persons who have lost their lives in the Tkibuli mine named after Mindeli.
“The President and the Administration of the President extend condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased. This is a fairly risky profession and the safety of these persons should be ensured maximally” – noted Manana Manjgaladze.