On March 21, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Georgian Dream Prime Minister, visited Budapest, where he met with Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary, and addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference. 

Addressing the conference, Kobakhidze honored Ilia II, stating, "He turned Christian ideals into a lasting source of strength for the Georgian people. Today, all of Georgia is united in grief." He described the loss as "deeply personal," adding that the Patriarch "sowed love in people’s hearts and received the deepest love from the Georgian people." He emphasized that Ilia II guided the country with devotion to tradition and Christian morality, noting, "Beyond his spiritual leadership, the patriarch was a beacon of wisdom for the state as well." He added that the Church served not only as a religious institution but also as a protector of statehood and national identity, stressing the need to safeguard these foundations.

He highlighted Christianity as a core element of Georgia’s identity, noting the 1,700th anniversary of its adoption as a defining moment in the country’s development. "The Christian cultural foundation remains central to who we are as a society," Kobakhidze stated. He reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to European integration, emphasizing that this path must be pursued with "dignity" and with full respect for heritage, peace, independence, and sovereignty. He described this as a "very difficult task" and expressed hope that Europe would "regain its sovereignty, Christian identity, and economic strength" before Georgia joins the European Union.

Referring to the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, Kobakhidze stated that global politics is marked by "growing uncertainty," emphasizing the human cost of geopolitical conflicts. He expressed hope that peace would be restored and that military confrontations would give way to diplomacy. He added that while the international system is increasingly shaped by conflict, Georgia has chosen "a different approach," stating, "We believe in connectivity rather than confrontation."

Kobakhidze highlighted the close relationship with Hungary, describing it as based on shared values and mutual respect. He criticized the "Brussels bureaucracy," stating that it is "deprived of sovereignty" and unable to accept governments that defend independence and traditional values. "They cannot accept that Hungary, thanks to its patriotic government, is effectively protecting itself from gender propaganda, immigration, and other vices that cause an existential problem for modern Europe," he stated.

Kobakhidze described Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections as "a watershed," expressing hope that they would take place "without the rough interference of the Brussels bureaucracy," adding that "democracy must prevail over foreign interference." He thanked Viktor Orbán "for his steadfast support for Georgia," calling him a "true warrior" and stating, "His words and actions have consistently demonstrated respect and care for the Georgian people." He added that Orbán’s leadership is important not only for Hungary but also for Europe, and wished him a "long tenure" as Hungary’s leader.