**Georgia’s Lost Opportunities: A Commentary by Salome Samadashvili**
The recent historic agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, brokered by President Trump, has served as a stark reminder of the opportunities that Georgia could have had if its government had pursued a different path. According to Salome Samadashvili, one of the leaders of the Lelo Strong Georgia movement, the Georgian government’s policies under Bidzina Ivanishvili have led to the country missing out on significant gains.
**A Missed Chance**
The agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia has created a new transit corridor – the Zangezur corridor – that bypasses Russia and connects the West with the Caspian Sea region. This is seen as a major achievement, demonstrating the potential for peace and cooperation in the region. In contrast, Georgia’s policies have led to the country losing its international function and attractiveness.
**Ivanishvili’s Legacy**
Samadashvili criticized Ivanishvili’s government for destroying the Georgian state and its international functions built over three decades. She argued that the real ruler of the country is not concerned with Georgia’s future, but rather sees it as a trading topic for his personal financial interests. This has led to the country being used as a territory for laundering dirty Russian money and protecting the interests of sanctioned businesses.
**Consequences for Georgians**
The consequences of these policies are severe for Georgian citizens. With no transit function or other international role, the country will struggle to attract investment, leading to higher unemployment, prices, and living difficulties. Furthermore, if the EU revokes the visa-free regime, Georgia may even experience physical isolation.
**A Different Path**
Samadashvili emphasized that all previous governments of Georgia had left a tangible historical legacy for the state and its people. However, Ivanishvili’s policies have set the country back 13 years, making it a globally uncompetitive nation. She called on Georgians to remember what the steps taken by sovereign countries in their neighborhood mean – peace, sovereignty, and new opportunities for their people.
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