Parliament Speaker highlights Georgian contributions to strengthening US-Georgia ties

We do not intend to lobby for anything, nor do we need to, said on Wednesday Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, further pointing out that “the Georgian people have done a lot to demonstrate in Georgian-American relations that our country seeks not only to benefit but is also ready to stand alongside those with whom it shares a strategic partnership”.

In his remarks, Papuashvili emphasised Georgia’s contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership with the United States.

“We are not going to lobby for anything and we do not need to. The Georgian people have done a lot to show in the Georgian-American relationship that our country seeks not only to benefit but is also ready to stand alongside those with whom it shares a strategic partnership. Defending the Georgian people is what we have accomplished in our partnership with the US. It is important to recognize this in order to understand the role Georgia has played in strengthening this strategic partnership”, the Speaker said.

Papuashvili highlighted Georgia’s military contributions, particularly in Afghanistan.

“Georgia repeatedly stood by the American people and US authorities. Among NATO’s non-member countries, Georgia contributed the largest military contingent to Afghanistan; even among NATO members, it ranked fourth in troop numbers. Relative to its population, Georgia suffered the highest per-capita military losses in that conflict, fighting alongside the Americans”, he continued.

He expressed concern over anti-Georgian rhetoric from some members of the US Congress and the Helsinki Commission.

“In contrast to these contributions, anti-Georgian rhetoric from certain individuals reflects a lack of recognition for the Georgian people’s role in our shared efforts. This rhetoric must end to prevent our relations from being burdened”, Papuashvili concluded.