Georgian FM predicts positive reboot in Georgia-United States relations

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said that a period of “strategic patience” was underway regarding Georgia-US relations, emphasising that despite recent tensions, a positive reboot is expected when the moment arrives.

In her remarks, Botchorishvili acknowledged that relations between Georgia and the United States deteriorated during the Biden administration over the past four years, becoming a regular topic of domestic political debate in a mostly negative tone.

“I cannot say that nothing has happened and nothing is happening in Georgia-US relations. Over the past four years under the Biden administration, we saw relations dramatically deteriorate, and every day relations with America were part of our political discourse - in a negative context - which is no longer the case today”, she said.

The FM noted that this phase appeared to be changing, in part due to the halt of the so-called MEGOBARI Act, which Georgia viewed as incompatible with the desired principles of the bilateral partnership.

“You saw that the so-called MEGOBARI Act, which had nothing to do with friendship, has been halted and is no longer on the agenda, which is important. We have repeatedly stated that Georgia does not want a document of that kind to become the foundation or defining element of relations between Georgia and the United States. Our desire is to restore strategic relations with concrete content, which is also a subject of dialogue”, she noted.

Botchorishvili further highlighted that Washington had not yet finalised its policy framework toward Georgia, largely due to its heavy engagement in international crises such as the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war.

“We understand that the United States has not yet fully formed its policy framework toward Georgia. We also see which issues the White House is occupied with today internationally - whether it is the Middle East or the Russia-Ukraine conflict - both of which require tremendous energy, effort, and time to bring the processes to peace agreements. The US is currently a participant in extremely important global processes, and, of course, we see that Georgia is not very high on this agenda right now”, she said.

“We are in a mode of strategic patience and expect that, at a certain stage, a reboot in Georgia-US relations will be on the agenda - and that this reset will be positive”, Botchorishvili continued.

The Foreign Minister also commented on the United States’ involvement in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, welcoming the normalisation dynamic in the region and highlighting Georgia’s readiness to contribute to peace and to strengthen its strategic role in the Middle Corridor.

“We see that the United States is actively engaged in the process of settling the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in our region. We welcome the dynamic that exists between the two countries today and that is directed toward the normalisation of relations. Our region needs peace and sustainable stability. If our role in the Middle Corridor becomes even more prominent, this will be beneficial for everyone - first and foremost for our country. We are monitoring these processes, and not only monitoring - we are also participants”, she concluded.