Strategic ties with China Georgian govt’s choice, New Silk Road “not so useful” – US Ambassador

Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday said it was up to the Georgian Government what kind of relations it would establish with China, but added the Chinese Government’s 2013 infrastructure initiative of the One Belt-One Road – also referred as a New Silk Road – had not turned as useful as expected for other states after several years from its launch. 

 

In her press comments after Tbilisi signed a strategic cooperation document with China amid Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s ongoing visit in the country, the outgoing Ambassador added “it seems that the visit was important for Georgia”. 

 

She focused on Georgians participation in the 31st FISU World University Games, a multi-sport event hosted in Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan Province of China, which was attended by Garibashvili last week, and said it was “wonderful” to see the Georgian flat at the event. 

 

Deganan highlighted her country remained a “strong supporter” of Georgia since gaining its independence in early 1990s, adding the partnership “brings concrete results”.