Georgia ready to restore strategic partnership with US ‘from a clean slate’, PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that Georgia is prepared to immediately restore its strategic partnership with the United States, emphasizing that the government remains optimistic about improving bilateral relations.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday, Kobakhidze rejected suggestions that Georgia is seeking to replace its relationship with the United States through closer ties with China.

“We arenot talking about any replacement whatsoever,” the prime minister said.

Kobakhidze noted that the previous US administration suspended the strategic partnership with Georgia during the period between the presidential election and inauguration, and said that the status quo remains in place.

He added the Georgian government has repeatedly expressed its readiness to resume cooperation with Washington.

“We are ready to restore the strategic partnership today. More than that, we are ready to restore it from a clean slate. We can forget all the injustices that we witnessed under the previous administration and begin anew,” he said.

Kobakhidze added that Georgia would welcome the development of a new framework for cooperation based on the national interests of both countries.

“We can start from a clean slate and establish a concrete roadmap that reflects the national interests of both states. Our hand is extended, and we are waiting for a response from the United States,” he stated.

The prime minister said recent developments have given the government reason to remain hopeful about the future of bilateral relations.

“Based on recent trends, we maintain optimism regarding the restoration of the strategic partnership,” Kobakhidze said.