President begins US trip meeting Georgian diaspora in New York

The President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili has begun an official visit to the United Sates (US) by meeting Georgian diaspora living in New York today.

First day of working visit to #USA met with #Georgian#diaspora living in #NewYork. pic.twitter.com/QL0HfUGcxC

— President Of Georgia (@MargvelashviliG) September 28, 2015

Issues relating to dual citizenship, Georgia’s economy and Russia’s provocative actions on Georgian soil were among the topics discussed with Georgian compatriots living abroad, while this afternoon the President is due to hold official meetings with the Presidents of Latvia, Slovenia and Cyprus.

Margvelashvili is visiting the US - Georgia’s major strategic ally – in the framework of the 70th session of the United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA). Georgia’s Prime Minister is also attending the Summit however the two officials were targeted to participate in different events to raise Georgia’s profile with international leaders.

Earlier today with Georgian diaspora Margvelashvili stressed they were still valued citizens even though they lived abroad, and added his office was open to providing double citizenship for Georgian diaspora.

President Giorgi Margvelashvili said he was ready to discuss controversial issues with Georgian diaspora representatives. Photo by the President’s webpage.

According to current Georgian legislation if you receive citizenship from any other country you automatically lose your Georgian citizenship. But if you are facing problems, in special cases, you can address the President’s Administration and we will grant you double citizenship until the law changes in this regard,” Margvelashvili said.

In a Q&A format, when asked about Russia’s continuing occupation of Georgia’s de facto regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as well as Russia’s involvement in other global conflicts, Margvelashvili said speaking with Russia was "absolutely necessary”.

Speaking with Russia is beyond our choice, whether we like it or not it is absolutely necessary. However it needs to be at an appropriate time and the Russian leadership should be mature for such talks,” Margvelashvili said.

He added it was not in Russia’s best interests to continue provoking Georgia and inciting violence at the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) as it did not resolve any current problems but accentuated them.

It is more profitable for Russia to live near a country that is stable and not with one that is full of problems and complications,” Margvelashvili said.

On another note, while speaking about the challenges and opportunities of Georgia’s economy, President Margvelashvili stressed the country’s recent economic downfall and the devaluation of the national currency was mainly because of foreign factors, owing to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that affected the wider region but action was being taken to address these issues.

President Margvelashvili’s US visit is scheduled to continue until October 2.