PM: Georgia ready to rebuild strategic partnership with US

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze has reiterated his government’s readiness to restore a strategic partnership with the United States, expressing cautious optimism despite Washington’s continued silence and the maintenance of sanctions against Georgia.

According to Georgian media, in an interview with TRT World, Kobakhidze said that Tbilisi’s proposal for renewing ties with Washington remains open, underscoring that Georgia seeks to rebuild the relationship “from a clean slate.”

“To a certain extent, we are concerned that the sanctions are still not lifted and that there is a kind of silence on the part of the US regarding Georgia. However, we remain optimistic — our proposal is on the table, and that proposal is to restore a strategic partnership. We will continue to wait patiently for their response,” the prime minister stated.

Kobakhidze emphasised that Georgia’s position on cooperation with the United States has always been consistent and transparent. “We say — and I have personally emphasised many times — that we are ready to restore our strategic partnership with the United States from a clean slate, on the basis of a very clear and concrete plan,” he said.

The Georgian leader recalled that under the previous US administration, relations had sharply deteriorated, which, he argued, affected both the Georgian people and government.

“The previous US leadership was extremely aggressive towards the Georgian people and, accordingly, towards the Georgian government. The Biden administration decided to suspend the strategic partnership with Georgia after the election of President Trump, a short time before his inauguration,” Kobakhidze noted.

Reaffirming his government’s willingness to move forward, Kobakhidze concluded, “Let me emphasise once again: it is in our interest to restore the strategic partnership with the United States, and we are patiently waiting for their position on this issue. We remain optimistic. Of course, to a certain extent, we are concerned that the sanctions have not been lifted and that there is a certain silence on the part of the United States with regard to Georgia. Yes, we are concerned, but we remain optimistic. Our proposal is on the table — restoration of strategic partnership — and we will patiently wait for their response.”

By Tamilla Hasanova