Ruling party official says Georgia will not compromise national interests, sovereignty - not even in relations with US

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said that the Georgian Government was open to rebooting its relations with all partners, including the United States, but not at the expense of its national interests or sovereignty.

In his interview with Rustavi 2 TV channel, Mdinaradze commented on the current state of the US-Georgia relations, stressing that “any dialogue must be based on mutual respect and equal footing”.

“We are ready to listen to everything - openly and behind the scenes. We’ve heard so much already that nothing can surprise us anymore. Do we want to reboot relations? Yes, we want to reboot ties with everyone, if those relations have deteriorated. But the main question is - at what cost?” the official said.

“If you and I had a strained relationship, and I tell you openly that I want to improve things, then I’d expect you to show the same willingness. But if you come to me privately and say: ‘Let’s meet, I have something to tell you’, and then demand that what was previously used as leverage against me remains in place - well, at the very least, that’s a matter of dignity. In such a case, I would say, ‘No - first show me that you genuinely want to restore this relationship, and then we’ll continue the conversation as equals’. Otherwise, it’s like trying to talk from a position of superiority, which is unacceptable”, Mdinaradze continued.

When asked whether the “ball is in America’s court”, Mdinaradze replied affirmatively, citing the recent letter from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze as a clear indication.

“Of course the ball is in America’s court. You’ve seen Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s letter. After that, naturally, the next move is up to the US. Not secretive, behind-the-scenes talks, but real, open dialogue. Let them meet with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, the Parliament Speaker - anyone. We’re ready to listen and restore relations. But again, the key question is - at what cost?”, he noted.

“If someone hopes to tell us something behind closed doors that would never be said publicly, and expects us to make concessions that would harm the country, then the answer is no. We will not go down that path”, Mdinaradze added.

The official emphasised that both the Georgian Dream Government and the Georgian people would not enter into any relationship - even with the United States - that threatened national interests.

“The Georgian Dream Government, along with the Georgian people, will not accept any relationship, including with the US, that would harm Georgia’s national interests - especially if it undermines our sovereignty or downgrades our status. Georgians finally see they have a Government that speaks boldly and independently. They’ve come to understand that decisions about Georgia are made only in Georgia. In the past, it wasn’t like this - Governments were fully dependent”, Mdinaradze concluded.