Parliament official denounces opposition’s criticism of China ties harming country’s interests
Sarjveladze said the opposition’s “attempts to portray the visit as harming the interests” of Georgia would be “useless”. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, on Monday said the ongoing visit of the ruling party’s delegation to China was “in the vital interests” of the country, in comments rejecting criticism by a part of the domestic opposition on the development.
Sarjveladze said the opposition’s “attempts to portray the visit as harming the interests” of Georgia would be “useless”.
We remember the statements of the opposition that alleged the establishment of strategic relations with China would prevent the country from receiving the European Union membership candidate status, which turned out not to be true. Many European countries have very deep and intense relations with China, which is normal”, he said.
“China has repeatedly stated clearly that it supports the territorial integrity of Georgia, which is stipulated in more than one document - and if it is not stipulated in any document, it [still] cannot have any negative impact on China's clear position”, the Parliament official continued.
Sarjveladze also reviewed the Middle Corridor - a transportation route network connecting China with Europe through the South Caucasus region - by saying its “strategic goal” would be “lost” if there was no cooperation with China.
The official further pointed out China was considered the “main actor in trade relations”, which he said was “strategically important for Georgia”.
The Georgian Dream party delegation, led by its Chair Irakli Kobakhidze, will on Monday hold “high-level” meetings during the visit.
The officials will meet the Chair of the International Relations Department of the Chinese ruling party and the Vice President of the Development Research Centre of the State Council.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday highlighted the ongoing visit of the party’s delegation to China as having a “great role” in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
A delegation of the ruling Georgian Dream party led by its Chair Irakli Kobakhidze will on Monday hold “high-level” meetings in China, the party's press office said.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday hailed his visit to China in July as being of “historic significance” in comments while presenting the annual report of his Government's work.
Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday highlighted steps taken within the strategic partnership between the two countries by saying China was “always committed” to assisting Georgia in improving social and economic growth.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said the country’s cooperation with China was “extremely important”, and further pointed out the ties could “bring very tangible results for our country and citizens”.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee from the ruling Georgian Dream party in the Parliament, on Monday said the ongoing meetings in China of the party’s delegation had “reaffirmed” Beijing's “steadfast support” for Georgia’s territorial integrity.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the ongoing visit of a delegation of the ruling Georgian Dream party, led by its Chair Irakli Kobakhidze, to China would be “productive”.
Strategic partnership between Georgia and China and prospects of cooperation were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to the country.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said there was “a lot of space” for deepening cooperation with Beijing during the ongoing visit to China of the ruling party’s delegation.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Human Rights Committee in the Georgian Parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday claimed the domestic opposition was “fully aware of [the identity of their colleagues] who had attempted to assure the country’s Western partners not to grant Georgia the European Union membership candidate status” last year.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, who is heading the party’s delegation in their ongoing visit to China, on Wednesday hailed “productive” and “fruitful” discussion with Chinese officials.