Georgian Economy Minister sees “mutually beneficial” cooperation potential with new US administration

Levan Davitashvili, the First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, on Thursday reflected on his recent visit to the United States by highlighting a clear inclination from the new US administration to establish a mutually beneficial and productive collaboration with the Georgian Government.

When asked whether the meetings included discussions on the suspension of the strategic partnership or the sanctions imposed on Georgian officials, Davitashvili acknowledged the complexity of the current diplomatic landscape.

“Unfortunately, the new administration has inherited a difficult legacy. It’s not easy to reverse such a reality overnight, as it involves legal processes. Similarly, it is not easy for us to restart a relationship that has been significantly damaged. However, there are opportunities, and most importantly, there is a readiness for cooperation on both sides”, the Minister said.

“Personally, I saw from the new US administration a clear desire to forge a mutually beneficial and productive partnership. This was confirmed in numerous departments, not just the State Department. We discussed this with the [US] Ambassador and the Embassy as well”, he continued.

The Minister also highlighted a key meeting held at the White House.

“We had a very open and particularly important conversation there. It was especially insightful to hear directly from the new leadership about their priorities. Everything was clear for us - we had a very open dialogue. We learned a lot, including about new priorities, and they also learned about our expectations”, Davitashvili concluded.