“This is part of U.S. domestic policy, something the current U.S. administration has been discussing and implementing for some time. We do not view it critically; on the contrary, we want our citizens in Georgia,” said the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, in response to a journalist’s question about the U.S. decision on immigrant visas.

According to Papuashvili, U.S. migration policy is an internal matter for the United States and is for them to decide.

“We want Georgian citizens to care for and participate in the development of Georgia, not other countries. In the 1990s, a significant human and intellectual resource left Georgia and has since contributed to the societies and economies of other countries. Today, however, Georgia is experiencing record‑breaking economic growth, and we want our citizens to be part of this success. Over the last three to four years, Georgia’s economy has doubled across key parameters. America’s migration policy is an internal U.S. issue, and it is their prerogative to determine it. But what matters most for us is that Georgian citizens engage in the development of our country. Being part of this economic progress is both a civic and human duty,” Papuashvili said.

Papuashvili also rejected the claim that the U.S. decision applies only to countries without a strategic partnership with the United States.

“It is false to assert that the 75 countries affected do not have strategic partnerships with the U.S. For example, Armenia, which has a strategic partnership with the United States, is on that list. So the assumption is incorrect. When you start with a false premise, you inevitably reach a false conclusion — whether by mistake or intentional misrepresentation,” he said.

When asked whether Georgia’s policies influenced the U.S. decision on visas, Papuashvili stated that Georgia’s policy had no impact.

“No. I assure you that our policy does not determine U.S. policy on migration, on Venezuela, on Greenland, or on other issues. Our policy has nothing to do with it. Just as we are not involved in policy decisions about Greenland or Venezuela, we are not involved in President Trump’s migration policy, which — with this decision — has affected almost half of the world,” he said.