Georgian PM: Georgia seeks strategic partnership reset with US from a clean slate

Georgia is awaiting the official position of Washington regarding the reset of bilateral relations, with the Government seeking to renew the strategic partnership based on a clear roadmap and from a clean slate, said on Thursday Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Kobakhidze made the statement in response to a question regarding references to Georgia included in the draft US National Defense Authorization Act.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister noted that the reference concerning Georgia was included in the congressional act at the initiative of Joe Wilson, which he described as unserious.

“Our message is very clear - we want to renew the strategic partnership with a specific roadmap, from a clean slate. Joe Wilson’s initiatives are not of interest to us”, he said.

“It is absolutely laughable to see such a provision. You know that the initiative belongs to Joe Wilson, and this provision was included in the congressional act based on the initiative of one person. Therefore, it is neither interesting nor serious for us. Yesterday, Iran was also deeply represented in Georgia, and today that representation from Iran has completely disappeared - this is just a small ironic remark”, Kobakhidze continued.

The Prime Minister stressed that Georgia is focused on the official position of the US administration regarding bilateral relations.

“Joe Wilson’s initiatives and amendments introduced through his initiatives are absolutely not interesting to us. We are waiting for Washington's official position regarding the reset of relations with Georgia. Our message is very clear - we want to renew the strategic partnership with a specific roadmap, from a clean slate, and we are awaiting America’s official position on this matter. Other details, including Joe Wilson’s initiatives, are not of interest to us”, Kobakhidze concluded.