"The construction of Rikoti is financed by international organizations. These are - World Bank, Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank. All construction and supervision companies were selected under their strict supervision. All the selected companies are of high qualification and international level," said the Chairman of the Roads Department.

According to Giorgi Tsereteli, revision of the construction project of the new road of Rikoti was done by international donor organizations. The post-audit conclusion was positive. British, Australian, Italian, experienced specialists participated in the revision process. The construction and supervision companies of the project were selected in accordance with the relevant rules.

Giorgi Tsereteli also clarified the Chinese companies and the accusations made against them and noted that the project is supervised by French, Turkish and Korean supervisory companies. Construction works are carried out by experienced companies, and none of the construction companies were sanctioned at the time of signing the contract.

"Since 2019, the construction project of the Rikoti pass road has been underway, within the framework of which 97 bridges and 51 tunnels are being built, and you cannot bring any specific facts regarding corrupt deals. The mentioned project is implemented by international level companies, and they are also supervised by international companies, in which foreign specialists with relevant experience are employed. These companies were selected on the basis of an open tender, in which companies from other countries also participated. Those companies that met the conditions agreed with the donor organizations won. Agreements were also signed with these donors. I repeat again, with full responsibility, all the companies selected for the Rikoti Pass during the contract signing period were not on the black list," said the Chairman of the Roads Department.

According to Giorgi Tsereteli, both the procurement procedures and the necessary criteria for identifying the winning company were agreed with the international financial (donor) organizations. Therefore, all accusations, including those of corrupt deals, are absurd and groundless.