Georgian FM heads to Washington for NATO Summit amid tensions

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili has departed for the United States to attend the NATO Washington Summit, his office announced on Monday.

Darchiashvili is scheduled to attend the NATO jubilee summit from July 9-11 in Washington and will participate in the meeting of foreign ministers on July 10 in the format of partner countries, according to Georgia’s foreign office.

In addition to attending the summit, Darchiashvili will participate in various events and hold bilateral meetings, the office added.

This visit occurs amid tensions between Georgia and its strategic partner, the US. The ruling Georgian Dream party recently enacted a foreign transparency law, which is seen as an obstacle to the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

In response, the US has imposed visa restrictions on unspecified Georgian officials and indefinitely postponed the Noble Partner joint exercises.