US Helsinki Commission slams Georgian Gov’t’s Anaklia Port deal with Chinese Consortium

Members of the US Helsinki Commission have voiced concerns over the Georgian government’s decision to award the construction rights for the Anaklia Deep Sea Port in the country’s west to a Chinese consortium. The commission warned that the project would be led by a company sanctioned by the United States, raising geopolitical and economic concerns.

In a statement, the commission emphasized that the agreement not only strengthened China’s economic influence in the Black Sea region but also posed a threat to Georgia’s democratic trajectory and economic sovereignty.

“By implementing this agreement, Georgian Dream will further threaten Georgia’s democratic trajectory and its ability to determine its own economic future. We call on Georgian Dream to reconsider this decision,” the statement reads.

The Anaklia port project has long been regarded as a strategic initiative for Georgia, aiming to bolster the country’s position as a key transit hub. However, Western allies, including the US, have repeatedly warned against deepening economic ties with China, citing national security risks and concerns over Beijing’s expanding global influence.