Georgian Parliament Speaker: stronger Georgia-US relations depend on overcoming “deep state”

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said that overcoming the so-called deep state was, from Georgia’s perspective, the main test for improving relations between Georgia and the United States.

In his interview with Rustavi 2 TV channel, Papuashvili noted that the ruling Georgian Dream party was ready for open relations with the United States, and recent open letters from Georgian leaders served as confirmation of this approach.

“We believe that those who have sincere intentions toward Georgia should take reciprocal steps. There was the Prime Minister’s open letter, the President’s open letter - in my view, both aimed at showing our readiness for open and clear relations, based on recognition of the interests of both peoples”, the Speaker said.

He further highlighted that recent statements by the new US administration, including by the Secretary of State, emphasised recognition of other countries’ interests, which he called an important signal.

The Speaker stressed Georgia’s priorities of peace, territorial integrity, and economic development, noting that this year, for the first time, Georgia’s GDP per capita will exceed $10,000, placing the country among the leaders compared to EU candidate states.

“The test for all our decisions is twofold: whether they serve the goal of restoring territorial integrity and whether they promote the welfare of the population”, he continued.

Papuashvili added that Georgia was ready to build a step-by-step strategic partnership with the United States in an open and transparent manner, emphasising that the country seeks to align mutual interests rather than conduct closed-door diplomacy.