**Government Responds to Strong Georgia’s Statement on Anaklia Port Case**
The government of Georgia has hit back at the opposition party Strong Georgia, following their statement regarding the recent Washington arbitration decision in the Anaklia Port case. Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili was quick to respond, saying that Strong Georgia’s leaders were involved in the arbitration dispute process and are now trying to distance themselves from their partner.
“This statement means that when they lose so many disputes, the only thing left for them to do is distance themselves,” said Dzamashvili. He noted that the leaders of Strong Georgia were actively involved in the discussions surrounding the Anaklia Port project and even claimed to be conducting a dispute in two international arbitrations. However, with the recent Washington arbitration decision going against them, they are now trying to shift the blame.
**Government Had Full Support for Project**
According to Dzamashvili, the Washington arbitration decision clearly states that the Anaklia Port project had full support from the government. This contradicts the claims made by Strong Georgia and other opposition parties that the government was responsible for obstructing Western investments in the country. The Deputy Minister of Justice emphasized that the public remembers how much political agitation there was regarding the Anaklia Port, with accusations against the government being answered by the Paris arbitration a year ago.
**Investors Were to Blame for Project’s Failure**
Dzamashvili also highlighted that the Washington arbitration decision places special emphasis on the fact that Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, the leaders of Strong Georgia, were particularly active in the project. He noted that they are currently facing criminal prosecution, and the arbitration decision has given a clear answer to this issue: no one can expect insurance from committing a crime because of their connection to a project or politician.
**Unanimous Decision by Arbitrators**
The Deputy Minister of Justice pointed out that the Washington arbitration decision was made unanimously by three arbitrators, including the one appointed by the plaintiffs. This, he said, is a clear indication that the investors were entirely responsible for the failure to implement the project. Dzamashvili concluded by saying that with this decision, speculations about American or Western investment being prevented should have ended.
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