Georgian Parliament official says Georgian Gov’t must continue policy that saved country from war, unlocked its strategic potential

Maia Bitadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Environment Protection and Natural Resources Committee, on Sunday reviewed the policy the Georgian Government should pursue amid ongoing global developments, stressing that Georgia must continue its peaceful policy and further strengthen economic relations.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Bitadze noted that maintaining the current path has effectively helped Georgia avoid being drawn into war and has highlighted the country’s opportunities stemming from its geographical location, despite the occupation of its two regions by Russia.

“The most important thing is that we continue the policy that has, on the one hand, practically saved Georgia from being dragged into war, and on the other hand, clearly demonstrated the opportunities that our geographical location offers Georgia today, despite the occupation. I am referring to the Middle Corridor, as well as the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Turkmenistan and the meetings he held with states that can offer Georgia significant opportunities in terms of establishing logistical and economic links along this corridor”, the Parliament official said.
She further emphasised that Georgia’s main goals for the coming years should be preserving peace and strengthening economic ties, which she said naturally contribute to safeguarding sovereignty and fully utilising the country’s economic potential.

Bitadze also addressed Georgia’s economic growth and forecasts, highlighting positive trends in recent years.

“We have been closely monitoring economic growth in recent years. We know that over the past nine months, foreign direct investment exceeded $1.2 billion, including investments from countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, and others”, the Chair continued.

“The forecasts made regarding Georgia’s economic development, including those by the European Union, clearly indicate that our policy must continue to be based on our national interests, the main driving force of which should be the peace policy pursued by our Government”, she noted.

Bitadze stressed that this approach reflected the will of the Georgian people, who clearly remember the events of 2008.

“This is the demand of the Georgian people, who know and remember very well the events of 2008, when we received “many emotional applauses”, including from leaders of EU member states. However, when it came to specific actions, no one opened NATO’s door to us despite those illusory promises, and EU membership was used as a tempting instrument of pressure”, she concluded.