Georgian diasporas abroad made a great contribution to the strengthening of the GEL in the Georgian economy and the stability of the monetary and credit system;
The most difficult task for the Georgian government today is to stop migration, otherwise Georgia as a state will no longer exist and will be scattered in different countries as a Georgian diaspora;
The one million Georgian diaspora living in the Russian Federation, using public diplomacy, should become a bridge for direct dialogue with Russia. start
Chairman of the parliamentary political group "European Socialists" Fridon Injia announced this at the meeting of the Diaspora Affairs Committee.
At the meeting of the Committee on Diaspora Issues of the Parliament of Georgia, information on the activities of the Department of Diaspora Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2022 was heard, which was presented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Konstantinidis.
The chairman of the political group, Fridon Injia, requested an explanation from the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, on what principle the Ministry records the Georgian diaspora in different countries, because the information presented by the Deputy Minister clearly contains inaccuracies.
For example, Fridon Ingia named the Republic of Turkey, Italy and the Russian Federation, where the number of diaspora does not correspond to the official information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All the more if we take into account the statement of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, that, for example, up to a million of our compatriots live in the Russian Federation.
According to the MP's assessment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have full information about what specific economic progress is being made in Georgia through Georgian diasporas working abroad, based on the same export, remittances and various economic indicators.
"The population should have accurate information about what kind of economic relationship the Georgian government has with the Georgian diaspora abroad, because the development of the Georgian economy depends to a large extent on the remittances carried out by the Georgian diaspora abroad, and it should be noted that a large share comes from the Russian Federation. The society and the population should know on what basis the state and the government were able to achieve a 2-digit economic growth, which became the basis for the salary increase of at least 10 _% for the employees of public services and law enforcement bodies. It is clear that the Georgian diasporas abroad have made a great contribution to the strengthening of the Georgian lari and the stability of the monetary and credit system. - said Fridon Injia.
At the meeting of the political group, the chairman of the committee was also interested in the future visions and plans of the Ministry in relation to the young ambassadors.
"Do you have a bank of young ambassadors, which the ministry will have as a kind of reserve, because I believe that the ministry should have determined exactly how to use their knowledge and ability to strengthen the homeland." - said Fridon Injia.
The deputy drew attention to the problem of population outflow from the country, which, in his estimation, is the most difficult task for the government and it must be solved.
"I believe that the main function of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Diaspora should be to return fellow citizens who have left the country, and if it is not possible to return them, the state should use their capabilities as much as possible based on the country's interests. Otherwise, Georgia as a state will no longer exist and will be scattered in various countries as a diaspora. As you know, there are such nations that do not have a state and they are represented in certain groups in different countries. If we do not stop migration and population outflow, then Georgia will not exist anymore. This is the most difficult task that our government has to solve today." - said Fridon Injia.
According to the chairman of the political group, despite the fact that Georgia does not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation, the Georgian government should do everything to maximize the potential of Georgian compatriots working in Russia, in particular, businessmen, for the benefit of the country's interests.
The deputy cited as an example the business association created by Georgian compatriots in Russia not so long ago, which works quite actively on important strategic directions for Georgia, such as attracting investments, main energy carriers, oil, gas, as well as importing wheat and primary consumption products and many others. An important issue.
"Everything that is of strategic purpose for the country comes largely from Russia. Today, there is a lot of talk about strategic partners, but the reality is that the country stands on those diasporas who work abroad, and the largest share comes from the Georgian diaspora living in the Russian Federation. - said the deputy.
Therefore, Fridon Injia believes that the role of the state must be activated in relation to Georgian diasporas working abroad.
"The head of the Georgian diaspora in the Russian Federation, Davit Tsetskhladze, is doing a great Georgian job today. It practically plays the role of an embassy and helps our compatriots in every possible way. It works on various cultural and economic projects important for Georgia. This person managed to unite various diasporic organizations that cooperate with each other. It is a sad fact that in many countries diasporas are not able to cooperate with each other and in many cases they protect each other. Therefore, it is necessary and important to activate the role of the state with the view of closer cooperation with the Georgian diaspora".
"The one million Georgian diaspora living in the Russian Federation, using public diplomacy, should become a bridge for starting a direct dialogue with Russia. Therefore, the correct and consistent policy of the state will be the basis for making some progress in the political relations between the two countries. Without dialogue, there will be no result. You are the executive power, which is obliged to do what the country needs based on the interests of the country and not to listen to those who want to pursue their interests in our homeland. It gives the impression that your steps in this direction are not bold and certain factors will hinder you. Maybe some embassy dictates this to you, but I assure you, you should act only based on the interests of the country."
"As a result of the actions of the previous government, Georgia lost 20% of territories and today military units are stationed there. With this, they blocked Transcaucasia. They have everything guaranteed. They stand 30 kilometers away. Therefore, our task should be to somehow get out of the situation. We have to correct the mistakes of the previous government, and without starting a direct dialogue, we will not have results." - Fridon Injia believes.
The deputy also drew attention to the Middle Corridor project, which, due to the geopolitical location of Georgia, is the most important and alternative project today, since it can become a guarantee of the country's protection and stability.
Fridon Injia also reminded the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the role of the state of Azerbaijan as one of the most important strategic partners for Georgia and noted that the deepening of relations between the two countries is necessary and necessary.
The chairman of the political group proposed to the members of the committee and the representatives of the Ministry that the days of Georgian culture should be organized more intensively abroad, and the greater involvement of Georgian television stations and the more active use of television air will be very effective.
On his part, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Konstantinidis, noted that the issues and proposals raised by Fridon Injia will definitely be taken into account in the future plan of the Ministry.