Georgian minister of agriculture calls President Saakashvili's remarks "irresponsible"

28.02.2013 (Hvino News) Georgia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kvirikashvili on Wednesday made a statement in response to President Mikheil Saakashvili’s recent criticism of inspections by Russia’s consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor of about 40 wine making and four mineral water producing enterprises that want to resume selling products to Russia. On Tuesday, Saakashvili publicly questioned the reasons behind Russian experts' presence in Georgia.“A Russian official wants two kopeks [penny] in the pocket to leave satisfied. Do you really think they arrived here to monitor chemicals in our wine?” Saakashvili said.

"This is an irresponsible statement, which puts well-being of 100,000 of our citizens under question. Unfortunately, because of this rhetoric ... the Russian market is closed to us, which results in losses for many people. Today, they continue this same style ... Such activities can be seen as sabotage, "- said Kirvalidze at a special briefing on Wednesday, February 27. The resumption of wine exports to Russia will benefit Georgia's economy, and the government has no plans to reverse previous agreements, said the minister.

“I would like to repeat once again that the Russian market is currently being seen as an opportunity to diversity Georgian wine making. It will save Georgia and provide an opportunity for expanding [production], which no one is going to reject, no matter what comments he [Saakashvili] makes,” the minister said.

Rospotrebnadzor chief Gennady Onishchenko  said on Wednesday that such statements insult Russian specialists, who could be withdrawn at any moment.

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