Georgian Parliament Speaker: recent developments point to reset in US-Georgia relations

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Sunday that the Georgian Government reserves the right to criticise any state or policy when it considers Georgia’s national interests to be at stake, while arguing that recent developments point to improving dynamics in US-Georgia relations.

Papuashvili rejected the characterisation that Georgia was attacking other states, saying criticism should instead be viewed in the context of what he described as attacks directed against Georgia and its people.

“We are not attacking anyone. Criticism is always a response to attacks that are directed against Georgia and the Georgian people. We reserve the right to be critical of any state or policy when Georgia’s national interests are at stake. So, if anyone wants the Georgian Government and people to remain silent, the only way to achieve that is not to attack the Georgian people”, he said.

The Speaker further noted that developments in recent months indicated that relations between Georgia and the United States were moving toward what he described as a reset.

“As for relations with the United States, the dynamics of recent months show that these relations are moving toward a reset. We are satisfied with the dynamics between the two countries. In particular, a new Chargé d’Affaires has been appointed, who is positively disposed towards our country and willing to cooperate; there is communication between the two foreign ministries; and the Trump Tower project has begun to be implemented in Georgia, which signifies President Trump’s personal confidence in Georgia’s stable development”, Papuashvili said.

He added that the Georgian Government views the restoration of a strategic partnership with the United States as the main benchmark for determining whether bilateral relations have reached the level it expects.

“All of this shows us that there is positive momentum in these relations. At the same time, we have stated what our benchmark is and when we will be able to say that these relations fully meet our expectations. We have said that establishing a new strategic partnership is the criterion by which we will determine that we are satisfied with the level of relations”, he stressed.

“We have expressed our readiness for this. Whenever the United States is ready for it, they know that they have a reliable partner on our side”, Papuashvili concluded.