The Prime Minister in his opening remarks focused on the current political situation in Georgia and preparations for the upcoming presidential elections.  Gurgenidze reiterated his hope for democratic elections and reacting to the recent state of emergency, he said that it was a setback on the path to democracy, but will make the country stronger in the end.  "Setbacks do happen, but with clarity of purpose, they only make you stronger, "he said. 

The Prime Minister went on to outline the economic advances and reforms that Georgia has made in recent years and his hopes for that to continue.  He also stressed the necessity to continue all reform processes in spite of election activities beginning.

After the initial presentation, Gurgenidze addressed a number of audience questions such as Russia, NATO and the Kosovo situation.  On Russia, he reiterated that the Georgian relationship is a complicated relationship and that if Russia respects the advances that Georgia has made, then everything else is on the table for negotiation. 

Gurgenidze also reported that NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that Georgia had met and is continuing to meet the benchmarks set for NATO membership.  Gurgenidze said that despite that the Georgian people are anxious for entry into NATO; it was wise to stay the course. "We are impatient people and the most important thing is to adhere to the process and continue forward," he said. 

When asked about Kosovo, Gurgenidze reiterated Georgia's opinion that if independence is granted, Kosovo cannot and will not be a precedent for any other region. 

Lado Gurgenidze was appointed to his current position as a Prime Minister in November this year