Georgian Parliament official voices readiness to rebuild strategic cooperation with United States

Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the First Vice Speaker of the Parliament, on Saturday said that the United States Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia reflected Washington’s focus on countries where American-backed economic and trade projects were underway.

In his remarks, Volski noted that the visit was part of a broader positive trend driven by the new US administration, aimed at supporting stability and economic connectivity in the South Caucasus.

“This is a certain positive trend created by the efforts of the new US administration, personally by the President, in the form of a corridor and a conflict that is practically resolved and nearing its end - a conflict about which such loud statements have been made, including very recently at the Davos meeting”, he said.

“In other words, he is visiting places where the United States has made a significant contribution and where projects related to economic, financial, and trade issues have reached a concrete stage. Of course, we must bear in mind that Georgia is a country with a real historical role and, in fact, the holder of an alternative corridor - this is the reality. However, there are certain nuances that may, for the time being, make the United States think that bilateral relations are not yet ready for this issue or for some large-scale matters”, Volski continued.

The official further stressed that Georgia continued to play a leading role in the South Caucasus and remained a key component of alternative transportation and trade corridors.

“However, I would like to highlight two points. First, everyone knows very well that Georgia plays a leading role in the South Caucasus as a whole. It is also viewed very positively here that the prospect of confrontation between Armenia and Azerbaijan has practically dropped to zero. This is very acceptable for us. In general, the system of transportation and corridors, as a unified system, not only implies but, if we look at reality, confirms that Georgia remains an important area for investment - including from Azerbaijan or other players interested in developing these corridors. This is the given reality”, he said.

Volski underlined Georgia’s readiness to restore relations with the United States to the level of full strategic cooperation.

“Regarding this reality, we have already voiced the questions we had. More than questions, once again we must state and publicly articulate what is called readiness - readiness to begin relations that will return Georgian-American relations to the format of strategic cooperation”, he concluded.