Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen reiterates Georgian Government’s readiness to reset relations with United States

Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday reiterated Georgian Government's readiness to reset relations with the United States, expressing optimism that the bilateral partnership will move past recent tensions.

Responding to journalists’ questions regarding his recent comments on “positive expectations” for US-Georgia relations, Kaladze clarified that the goal is a fresh start based on mutual respect and shared interests.

“The expectation means that the relationship should start from a new page. We have made several statements regarding this, that the government of Georgia is ready for this because the statements made during the previous administration, the threatening rhetoric, the hostile attitude, the sanctioning of people, which had no basis whatsoever, were categorically unacceptable to us”, Kaladze said.

He emphasised that under the new US administration, the Georgian government had great hope that these relations would be reset, and there would be friendly and strategic partnership relations with the US.

“These relations should be based on the protection and consideration of the interests of both countries. When we talk about interests, the interests of both countries must be protected. It cannot be that because Georgia is a small country, it will be used to carry out the interests of other larger countries and in the process, we will be oppressed, harmed, and face negative consequences. That’s not going to happen. We want to restore relations, and we have repeatedly expressed our willingness. Georgia is an independent, sovereign country, and for all of this, we had to fight, even shedding blood. Therefore, this requires caution and reinforcement, both for independence and sovereignty. The government of Georgia is ready to start relations from a new page”, Kaladze noted.

He added that certain statements provide ground for optimism.

“In general, there will be news regarding this, and we should wait. The statements and the phone call provide grounds for optimism that the relationship will start from a new page”, Kaladze concluded.