Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has commented on a statement on Georgia by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had previously expressed hope that the US would see a change in the current trajectory of developments in Georgia.
“If anything was ruined in Georgian-American relations in recent years, it was ruined by the previous administration, 100%. We are ready to discuss all the details related to restoring the strategic partnership.
“One thing I can say: whatever the US Secretary of State says about Georgia, it no longer matters to this opposition, as it is so discredited and weakened. This is today’s reality.
“As for our attitude toward the Secretary of State and the US administration, it is that we want to resume the strategic partnership. Therefore, we view all signals with optimism, including those we heard during the US delegation’s visit to Georgia. All of this keeps us optimistic that the strategic partnership between Georgia and the US can be restored. The rest depends on further negotiations.
“Georgia is not a schoolchild who can be held back a year and told to improve. Georgia is a dignified, sovereign state, and we have made this clear everywhere. Georgia defended its dignity when extremely difficult things were demanded of us. Thanks to defending our own dignity, we were able to avoid the most serious risks for our country.
“The previous administration demanded extremely difficult steps from us, which were followed by pressure, blackmail, and many other actions against the Georgian people and the Georgian state. What was destroyed by injustice can only be corrected by a fair approach.
“A roadmap cannot be developed unilaterally. We are meeting with our American partners precisely to jointly agree on such a roadmap. It must be agreed upon by both sides. How can it be proposed unilaterally?
“Based on the results of these meetings, we remain optimistic that the process will culminate in the restoration of the strategic partnership. This is our desire. But you will not see what you want. You will not see the undermining of democracy and the rule of law in Georgia—which, according to you, is what the United States wanted,” Kobakhidze stated at the opening of the 16th Regional Sustainable Development Forum in Tbilisi.