Head of Georgian Diaspora in Russia to extend invitation for PM Garibashvili to visit Moscow

The head of the Georgian Diaspora in Russia, Davit Tsetskhladze, has announced plans to extend an invitation to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, for a visit to Moscow this year.

In an interview with Dalma News, he emphasized the importance of fostering closer ties between the Georgian government and the country’s diaspora in Russia, which currently occupies 20 percent of the Georgian territory. 

Expressing concerns about “certain forces obstructing discussions” related to Russia in Tbilisi, Tsetskhladze outlined the desire for Georgian government representatives to participate in major events organized by the diaspora in Russia. He stated, “on Diaspora Day, representatives of the Georgian diaspora come from different cities of Russia. We do not see anything wrong in the fact that the representatives of the Georgian government came to such a grand meeting and met their compatriots.”

He revealed the intention to send an invitation to the Georgian PM this year, expressing hope that the request would be “positively received”. 

Discussing the Russian-Georgian Business Council, Tsetskhladze mentioned that participants have “successfully advocated” for the simplification of obtaining Georgian citizenship for ethnic Georgians this year. He emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, which he claimed had been a source of concern for ethnic Georgians residing in Russia and other countries.

“The Georgian government does not engage in hysterical politics,” Tsetskhladze noted, commending the “positive state of relations” between Georgia and China. He added, “any healthy step, which is not related to anti-Russian propaganda and ordered policy against Russia, will be accepted very adequately.”

Georgia suspended diplomatic ties with Russia after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war, with the situation remaining unchanged so far. The Georgian Dream authorities in 2013 restored trade and economic cooperation with Russia.