Kvirikashvili Writes Op-Ed for Fox News on Georgia-US Trade Deal
In an opinion piece for the Fox News website published this morning, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili wrote about the potential for a US-Georgia trade deal. The piece, titled “Georgia Prime Minister: US-Georgia trade deal would create US jobs, improve energy security,” comes as the Prime Minister finishes a multi-day trip to the Washington, D.C. where he met with several high-ranking officials including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to discuss advancing shared US-Georgian interests in the fields of security and trade.
The article argues for closer economic ties between the US and Georgia. Kvirikashvili first discusses the two countries history of cooperation, including US support after the 2008 war with Russia and subsequent occupation, and Georgia’s significant troop contributions to coalition forces in Afghanistan. He says that today, Georgia is “widely recognized...as an emerging hub for culture and commerce, a new ‘must see’ destination on the global tourism map, and a democracy with thriving civil and public institutions.”
Kvirikashvili then lays out the argument for how a free trade agreement would benefit both countries strategically and economically in three points: 1) American companies would get a “foothold in Eurasia and a gateway to the New Silk Road and its Europe-to-Asia market of more than 2 billion people,” 2) the energy sector would benefit from new opportunities, as due to its location, “Georgia is the only alternative energy supply route between the Caspian basin and Europe,” 3) “a bilateral trade agreement would create American jobs” – mentioning the new Anaklia port project, which will be run by US company SSA Marine.
The main emphases are on Georgia’s strategic geographic location and the history of US-Georgian friendship. As the next NATO summit (to be held in Brussels, July 11-12) approaches, Kvirikashvili of course mentioned Georgia’s membership aspirations, reminding readers that the country “already exceeds the alliance requirements for defense and technology spending.” Georgia currently has free trade agreements with China, Turkey, and the European Union.
After a slate of positive meetings with members of the Republican-controlled government, GOP appointees and elected officials, it is worth noting that Fox News is a right-leaning platform.
By Samantha Guthrie
Photo: Fox News
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