Peter Andreoli, U.S. State Department Official, Visits Georgia

Peter Andreoli, a representative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, is visiting Georgia.

“He will meet with representatives of government, the private sector, and Georgian society,” the U.S. Embassy said on March 23, adding, “He will also travel to Poti to tour an American investment in the port and will visit the ABL [Administrative Boundary Line].”

Before he arrived in Georgia, Andreoli was at the Georgian Embassy in Washington, where, Georgian Ambassador to the United States Tamar Taliashvili said on March 20, he “left a message in the book of condolences opened for the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.” Taliashvili did not provide further details about any additional discussions.

The visit comes amid continued uncertainty in bilateral relations. The United States, under President Joe Biden, suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024 and sanctioned Georgian Dream founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili a month later. Washington under President Donald Trump, however, has remained largely silent toward Tbilisi, despite Georgian Dream’s repeated claims about “shared values” and stated efforts to reset relations “from a clean slate.”

Visit to Anaklia Port

On March 26, Georgia’s Economy Ministry said that Deputy Economy Minister Tamar Ioseliani “briefed” Peter Andreoli on the “course of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project” on site. Acting U.S. Ambassador Alan Purcell also visited Anaklia, where the American side “viewed the construction and mobilization work being carried out by the Belgian company Jan De Nul,” the ministry said.

Ioseliani provided the delegation with “a detailed overview of the project’s implementation stages and emphasized its exceptional strategic importance,” the ministry said, adding that the sides discussed in detail the “port’s master plan and the design of its maritime infrastructure, based on which the port’s construction and mobilization work is proceeding.” According to the ministry, they also discussed the railway sector, which was described as “a critical component” of the Middle Corridor.

Ioseliani said the Anaklia Deep Sea Port is “one of the key projects” for Georgia’s transport and logistics infrastructure, “which will play an important role in the effective functioning of the Middle Corridor, strengthening regional connectivity and positioning the country as a regional hub.”

The meeting was also attended by senior officials from Anaklia Sea Port LLC, Georgian Railway JSC, and the Georgian Maritime Transport Agency.

The Anaklia Deep Sea Port project was originally awarded in 2016 to the Anaklia Development Consortium, a Georgian-American venture. The project was halted in 2020 after the Georgian Dream government terminated the contract amid controversies. Following the cancellation, the government took a 51% stake in the project and in 2024 selected a Sino-Singaporean consortium. Also in 2024, Belgian company Jan De Nul was awarded the tender to carry out the maritime infrastructure work for the port. However, observers have pointed out that the project, particularly concerning Chinese investment, has stalled since.

Meeting with Opposition Leaders

On March 26, Andreoli met with opposition politicians, including members of the nine-party coalition, as well as Lelo and former PM Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia.

“We reviewed the very difficult and serious geopolitical situation in the region. Naturally, we placed significant emphasis on the Middle Corridor,” Grigol Gegelia of Lelo told reporters, adding that the U.S. is “very openly interested” in the Middle Corridor and in ensuring the Anaklia port project “is successful and serves Georgia’s national interests, as well as those of the West.”

Tina Bokuchava of the United National Movement said Andreoli’s “visit to Poti port and then Anaklia clearly indicates that [the Anaklia port] is a priority for Washington.” She said, however, that his meetings with officials “do not serve and cannot serve a reset or restoration of strategic partnership,” stressing that “it is important for Georgia to maximize benefits from all economic projects, especially when U.S. interests in the region are so strong.”

“We once again made it clear that Ivanishvili is not a man who envisions that any Western democracy can have an interest in the Black Sea,” Nika Gvaramia of Ahali said. “No Anaklia port, no route from the Caspian to the Black Sea through Georgia will happen while Ivanishvili is in power,” he added.

Meeting at Economy Ministry

On March 26, Georgia’s Economy Ministry also reported that GD Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, together with her deputies, Genadi Arveladze and Tamar Ioseliani, met with Peter Andreoli and Alan Purcell.

According to the ministry, the two sides discussed “the priorities of economic cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on the potential for U.S. investment in large infrastructure projects as well as the deepening of trade relations.”

“The Georgian side focused on Georgia’s interest and optimistic expectations about restoring a strategic partnership with the U.S. and resetting relations, emphasizing that this process would positively reflect on the further development of economic relations between the two countries,” the press release said.

The sides discussed Georgia’s “investment capabilities” in such “strategic sectors” as energy, transport, and logistics, focusing on “Georgia’s strengthening role within the Middle Corridor.” The press release further said that Kvrivishvili informed the American representatives of the “plans and ongoing progress” of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project.

Meeting at Foreign Ministry

On March 26, Peter Andreoli also met with GD Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili.

According to the MFA press release, the sides discussed U.S. engagement in the South Caucasus, “current issues of cooperation” between Tbilisi and Washington, and particularly the Middle Corridor and “Georgia’s role as a regional connector and transportation hub” within it. They also underscored U.S. “firm support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its non-recognition policy.

Botchorishvili “reaffirmed the Georgian side’s willingness and readiness to reset relations with the United States and to renew the strategic partnership,” the press release added.

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