Grigol Gegelia, one of the leaders of the Lelo – Strong Georgia party, commented on the statements made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Georgia, in which Rubio expressed hope that the US would see a change in the current trajectory of developments in Georgia. According to Gegelia, “a reset of relations will not happen without concrete steps from the regime.”
“Marco Rubio’s statement clarified with absolute precision and in full detail the earlier statement by the US Embassy and the specific demands voiced to the Georgian authorities by American delegations. This is a clear confirmation of what ‘Strong Georgia’ has been systematically saying for the past months – there will be no reset of relations without concrete steps from the regime; America is giving the regime a chance for positive relations, but this opportunity comes with a specific price.
The proposals from Rubio and the American side are simple and clear. Personally, along with the Lelo team, I have repeatedly informed the public of what this ‘price’ entails. It includes: ending anti-American rhetoric, developing the Middle Corridor and the Anaklia port, reducing economic and political dependence on China, stopping overtures towards Iran, and ensuring an adequate political and legal environment, which is critically important for the existence of stable and functioning political institutions in which democratic opposition groups, elected through free elections, can participate.
This is a clear list of issues, without the fulfillment of which there will be neither stabilization nor a reset of relations. The ball is in ‘Dream’s’ court, but ‘Dream’ represents the Russians who are betraying Georgia’s national interests.
Unfortunately, the propaganda of the so-called Prime Minister Kobakhidze and a number of opposition figures is developing a theory of ‘lists,’ which the Ivanishvili government needs to distract attention from the real US demands. However, the real US demands cannot be overshadowed by primitive propaganda.
Elections, the release of political prisoners, ending anti-American rhetoric, developing the Middle Corridor and the Anaklia port, reducing dependence on China, ending friendship with Iran, and ensuring an adequate political and legal environment – this is the solution and the absolute minimum without which there will be no normalization,” Grigol Gegelia stated.