Georgian PM says Trump's letter offers grounds for optimism over US-Georgia ties

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said a letter from US President Donald Trump responding to his attendance at a US Independence Day event in Tbilisi provides grounds for optimism that bilateral relations can be reset.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said it was significant that Trump had responded with a “positive letter” after the Prime Minister attended the US Embassy's Independence Day reception.

“It is very important for us that the President of the United States responded to my attendance at the US Embassy's Independence Day event with such a positive letter,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister said the Georgian Government’s objective is to restore the strategic partnership with the United States “from a clean slate” through a specific roadmap.

“Our desire is to completely reset our relations, restore the strategic partnership and do so from a clean slate with a concrete roadmap. Messages like this allow us to remain optimistic that relations can be reset soon,” he said.

Kobakhidze added that the Georgian Government was waiting for a “firm position” from the US side on the issue.