“The countries invited to the ‘Peace Council’ are those involved in severe processes related to war - whether in the Middle East or Central Europe. If we were not invited, it means that it is not necessary for Georgia to participate without having resources to influence the situation in the world,” Gia Volski, the First Vice-Speaker of Parliament, told journalists. He was responding to a question about why Georgia was not invited by the U.S. President to the Gaza ‘Peace Council,’ while invitations were extended to many other countries around the world, including neighboring states of Georgia.

According to him, in this situation, Georgia, with its limited resources, is in the right position, not involved, and as American experts say, it is not expected that conflicts around Georgia will develop with the intensity seen in its neighborhood.

“The countries invited to the ‘Peace Council’ are those involved in severe processes related to war - whether in the Middle East or Central Europe. The countries were selected based on where discussions are necessary. This does not mean they are friends or expecting to develop warm relations. The decisions are made and accepted purely with cold-blooded pragmatism. In this situation, Georgia, with its limited resources, is in the correct position, not involved, and, as American experts say, it is not expected that conflicts around Georgia will develop with the intensity, unfortunately, seen in our neighborhood. Naturally, we support the development of the peace process, and the method or format it takes is not of major importance. However, we are confident and wish that it is far more effective than the UN Security Council or the gatherings that periodically take place in Brussels, which, apart from criticizing Georgia, do nothing. Any peace initiative is acceptable for us, and we strive for it to have some influence on our country,” Volski said.

Volski also noted that it is noteworthy that Donald Trump is not inviting European Union countries either, and they are making rather strong statements on the matter.

“Why was France not invited, and why is he not inviting European countries? You should ask that. People with a very narrow mindset ask why we were not invited to the ‘Peace Council.’ There are countries that determine issues of peace and war in the world, and they are the ones invited. The fact that EU countries are not invited and that they make strong statements on this matter is also significant. Georgia holds a firm and good position in this regard. We hope that the world will agree on what is called peace and stability, including in the South Caucasus region. If we were not invited, it means it is not necessary for Georgia to participate without resources, without the means to influence the global situation. Let’s see what results follow and how the process develops. If you are not invited today, tomorrow or the day after, you might be,” Volski said.