Parliament official: strategic deals ensure protection of "national interests"
Samkharadze also added in addition to the trade and economic directions, it was “strategically important” for the country to closely cooperate with China for Georgia’s policy of non-recognition of its Russian-occupied regions. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday said the more strategic cooperation agreements the country signed with various governments, the better it was positioning itself to protect its "national interests".
Samkharadze’s comments followed the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili’s remarks, who on Friday told the Parliament the Constitution authorised the Government to implement the country’s foreign policy without prior agreement of the legislative body, in his answer to being challenged by MPs on the Georgia-China deal, signed during Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s official visit to the country in July.
Samkharadze said Georgia and China already had “deep partnerly relations”, and added the Government needing the authorisation from the legislative body on the matter was “improper”. He also noted a "number of European Union member states" had "various deals, including strategic agreements", with China.
He also said Georgia joining the EU and NATO was "not the only priority” the Government had declared, adding the policy of non-recognition, de-occupation," consolidation of international efforts" for the interests of Georgia, as well as the development of partnerships with different regions were also “openly written” in the foreign policy resolution.
The official said the "multi-vector policy" did not mean the Government was distancing itself from joining the EU and NATO, and noted the EU saw the world "according to the principle of multilateralism", a principle he said was represented by Georgia.
Samkharadze also added in addition to the trade and economic directions, it was “strategically important” for the country to closely cooperate with China for Georgia’s policy of non-recognition of its Russian-occupied regions.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday responded to claims by the domestic opposition on the Government’s recently signed strategic agreement with China hampering the country’s European integration by stressing the deal “in no way contradicts” Tbilisi’s foreign policy priorities.
Ilia Darchiashvili, the Georgian Foreign Minister, on Friday told the Parliament the Government had acted “in full compliance” with the country’s Constitution when it signed a strategic partnership agreement with China in July without the consent of the Parliament.
Priority areas of economic cooperation were discussed on Monday in a meeting between Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Wang Wentao, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, the Georgian Ministry of Economy said.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Tuesday claimed an “anti-Chinese campaign” being organised by “some domestic political forces” as an “attempt to establish Sinophobia in the public”.
Maia Omiadze, the head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, said the body was “actively” planning to hold promotional campaigns to increase tourist flows from China after Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens, citing attracting visitors and mutual economic investments among “main interests” behind the decision.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the strategic partnership between Georgia and China by calling it a “very important” decision that would yield results for both countries.
Georgian and Chinese Governments on Monday shared their “commitment” to expand cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields, strengthen collaboration in international affairs and bilateral relations, and safeguard regional and world peace, stability and development together in a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said a session of the intergovernmental trade and economic commission between China and Georgia had discussed topics including removal of visa requirements for Georgian citizens.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday said China’s position as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on Georgia’s territorial integrity was “important and decisive”.