Georgia forges closer ties with China during Parliament Speaker’s visit

Georgia’s Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili is paying a four-day official visit to the Republic of China’s to forge closer ties with the large nation. 

Today in capital Beijing Usupashvili met his Chinese counterpart and participated in a conference dedicated to the New Silk Road prospects. 

In a speech made before an audience at the Asian Political Parties Silk Road Thematic Conference today Usupashvili stressed Georgia could play a "key transit role” connecting Europe with Asia through a new Silk Road route, initiated by the Chinese government. 

Georgia’s Parliament Speaker delivered a speech at the Asian Political Parties Silk Road Thematic Conference. Photo by Parliament of Georgia. 

Georgia played this role in the past. If we are involved in the project again Georgia will reinstate its place in Europe,” Usupashvili said. 

Speaking about the benefits Georgia’s partners could receive through cooperating with Georgia, Usupashvili said:

• Georgia was the 15th state in the world in terms of ease of doing business; 
• Georgia took 5th place as the easiest country to start a business;  
• Georgia enjoyed a stable macroeconomic environment and jumped from 130th place to 50th in the International Transparency Rating;  
• Foreign Direct Investments grew 35 percent in 2014 – the best outcome in the last six years – with a significant chunk of FDIs coming from the European Union; 
• Signing of an Association Agreement with the European Union and benefits Georgia would gain through the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Agreement. 

While speaking about the new Silk Road route, Georgia’s Parliament Speaker emphasised the importance of the October 15-16 Tbilisi Silk Road Forum. 

While I am speaking here 300 Chinese business leaders and various high ranking officials are gathering in Tbilisi to attend the forum.

The forum will enable participants to identify beneficial projects and ideas to complement a final mission of restoring of historic Silk Road,” Usupashvili said. 

During his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Zhang Dejiang, Usupashvili proposed an idea to hold a conference where Members of Parliament (MPs) of various counties would gather and discuss the new Silk Road.

The MPs would share their experience and plan concrete steps in a legal direction,” Usupashvili stated. 

The Chinese Parliament Speaker said since starting diplomatic relations with Georgia 23 years ago, Georgia-Chinese relations had become "especially fruitful”. He stressed ongoing negotiations between the two countries over free trade would become easier as bilateral relations deepened. 

Georgian products will easily appear in the Chinese market after signing of the free trade agreement,” the Chinese official said, noted that "a special location was a big advantage for Georgia”. 

Usupashvili is scheduled to participate in the closing ceremony of the Silk Road conference and give interviews with various media before returning home.