Georgian officials slam US decision to withdraw UN invitation for PM Kobakhidze

The Georgian government and officials from the ruling party expressed strong indignation over the Biden administration's decision to rescind the invitation for Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to the annual UN General Assembly reception.

The US Embassy in Georgia explained that this decision stemmed from rising concerns regarding the Georgian government's anti-democratic actions, disinformation, and negative rhetoric towards the United States and the West, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media.

“It’s not serious. They sent the invitation three days ago, and then it was rescinded,” remarked PM Kobakhidze, noting that the event coincidentally fell on his birthday, September 25.

He characterised the US decision as a last-minute “humanitarian act of support” for the opposition, although he claimed it would have “no practical effect” given their poor performance.

First Vice Speaker of Parliament Gia Volski labelled the US action as a “political demarche,” suggesting it aimed to facilitate the return of the United National Movement (UNM) to power. He described it as a “lifeline” for the opposition.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili accused the US of interfering in Georgia's internal affairs and violating “the rules of hospitality.”

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze added, “First, the invitation was sent. Then they decided to use this action to help and nudge the radical opposition, which is […] gasping for breath.”

Guram Macharashvili of People’s Power suggested a conspiracy, questioning whether the US president was informed about the invitation’s rescindment. Majority leader Mamuka Mdinaradze expressed outrage on social media, claiming, “They invited him on purpose, only to disinvite him later.”

Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili adopted a more measured tone: 

“We are very sad that such a decision has been made,” while reiterating Georgia's openness to “open and honest” discussions with its “strategic partner.”

Notably, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has been disinvited from a reception for world leaders hosted by US President Joe Biden during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), marking a significant downturn in US-Georgian relations. Reports indicated that the US has declined all meetings with Kobakhidze's delegation.

The US embassy in Tbilisi cited the cancellation was due to what it termed the Georgian government's "anti-democratic actions, disinformation, and negative rhetoric towards the US and the West."

In response, parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili dismissed the disinvitation as "frivolous."

By Khagan Isayev