GD Economy Minister Meets British Ambassador

2026-03-28 - 14:12

Georgian Dream Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili met with UK Ambassador to Georgia Gareth Ward, the Economy Ministry reported on March 27. According to the ministry’s press release, the sides discussed “the dynamics of economic cooperation” between the two countries, Georgia’s plans to “further strengthen its role as a regional transit hub,” the “positive dynamics” of direct flights between Georgia and the UK, as well as Tbilisi’s “mechanisms for enforcing sanctions in the maritime transport sector.” Deputy Economy Ministers, Tamar Ioseliani and Genadi Arveladze, also attended the meeting. The British Embassy has not reported on the meeting. “The sides discussed the dynamics of economic cooperation between the two countries,” the ministry said, adding, “It was noted that over the past two years, the United Kingdom has ranked first in terms of direct foreign investment in Georgia, which reflects British business confidence in the country’s economy and investment environment.” The press release said it was also noted during the meeting that “Georgia plans to further strengthen its role as a regional transit hub,” with Kvrivishvili stating that the country “continues its integration into international transport markets and global supply chains through infrastructure modernization.” The press release added that they also discussed the “positive dynamics” of direct flight connections between the two countries, noting that the start of operations by British Airways and EasyJet has led to “rapid growth” in passenger traffic. “At the meeting, the Georgian side also drew attention to the enforcement mechanisms for sanctions in the maritime transport sector. The minister noted that all procedures at Georgia’s ports fully comply with national and international obligations, which the country implements meticulously,” the press release added. 10/03/2026 – EU Drops Kulevi Port Sanctions, Citing ‘Commitments’ from Georgia, SOCAR Sanctions and Strained Relations The meeting came amid deteriorated relations between Tbilisi and London. On February 24, the UK sanctioned Georgia’s two major pro-government TV channels, Imedi TV and POSTV, for “Russian disinformation,” saying they spread “deliberately misleading information” about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in a way that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty. Georgian Dream slammed the move as “unserious,” “shameful” and “tragic,” with the Foreign Ministry summoning Ambassador Ward to question the basis of the sanctions, and the GD political council further stating that it was an “unprecedented example of an open attack on free media.” The ruling party expressed support for the sanctioned channels as uncertainty persists over what specific effects the sanctions may have on the broadcasters. In a report titled “Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy,” published on March 27, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons called for further sanctions on Georgian Dream officials and media. The report reviews the political situation in Georgia, concluding by saying that the Committee is “deeply concerned” about the “continued deterioration of democracy in Georgia which, on its current trajectory, will lead to an entrenched autocracy firmly under Russia’s sphere of influence, like Belarus.” Condemning the GD’s decisions in “suspending EU accession talks, repressing opposition voices, limiting legitimate protest, and spreading disinformation,” the Committee said these actions “imitate the Russian playbook and indicate coordination between Tbilisi and Moscow.” It added that it supports the actions already taken by the UK Government “in sanctioning Georgian officials responsible for enabling human rights violations in response to legitimate protests.” The Committee then called for further targeted sanctions. “We call on the Government to implement new targeted financial and travel sanctions on Georgian Dream officials supporting the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Georgian kleptocrats and Georgian media organisation spreading disinformation.” “These additional designations would significantly increase the cost on those who are seeking to undermine the Georgian people’s desire for a European alignment and signify the UK’s support for Georgian democracy, not autocracy,” the Committee said. Also Read: 19/12/2025 – UK Calls on Georgia to Curb Russian Oil Imports Amid Wider Sanctions 19/09/2025 – UK Sanctions Ex-Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze, Ultra-Conservative Figure Levan Vasadze 10/04/2025 – UK Sanctions Georgia’s Prosecutor General, Three Security Officials for Human Rights Abuses 19/12/2024 – UK Sanctions Senior Georgian Authorities, Including Minister of Interior