According to Amiran Gamkrelidze, the former head of the National Center for Disease Control, dozens of projects related to public health, on which Georgia worked within the framework of partnership with the United States of America, have been paused at this stage.
Amiran Gamkrelidze spoke to "InterpressNews" about the current dynamics in the relations between Georgia and the United States of America and explained that what is happening around the National Center for Disease Control is "not good".
"Unfortunately, what is happening around the National Center for Disease Control is not good. It will not be good for Georgian-American relations. I wish Khinji would not enter these relationships. We confirm that the CDC projects have been suspended, there were dozens of projects that have been suspended. Projects with other partners, such as the Threat Reduction Agency, are ongoing, including those implemented by the US private sector.
The fact that dozens of projects have been put on hold is not good. It all depends on the political situation. It is important to recover quickly. The state is relatively stronger than we were in the 90s. 2 million is a serious figure, but relations were not expressed in money. They perceived us as strategic partners, so a number of projects were implemented. My former employees are no longer allowed to go to conferences and attend trainings. I value the slowness of this more than the monetary part. The state can do this by compensating, and as far as I know, it does a part.
Important are the relationships that were with the CDC and are on hold. I would like to quickly restore relations with the USA. It will be difficult for the entire country to develop without the United States of America. I would like these projects in the field of health care to be restored soon", said Amiran Gamkrelidze.
