Georgian Parliament official expects strategic partnership with US to be restored, built on specific steps, mutual respect, principle of equality

Archil Gorduladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, on Monday said Georgia was expecting its strategic partnership with the United States to be restored, built on specific steps, mutual respect, and the principle of equality.

Gorduladze responded to President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s letter addressed to US President Donald Trump. In an open letter, Kavelashvili called for a reboot in relations and stressed that the Trump administration has not paid sufficient attention to Georgia.

“Unfortunately, the so-called deep state has paid particular attention to our country, since we have refused to follow the directives that certain individuals under its influence have attempted to impose. When we and the President of the United States speak about the declared fight against the deep state, we wish him success. However, this success cannot be realised so long as pressure on Georgia, blackmail of the Georgian people, and attempts at punishment remain active”, the Parliament official said.

He further criticised what he described as the silence of the current US administration toward Georgia, despite active engagement with other countries in the region.

“The ideology of our Government is in full alignment with the current US administration, including in resisting pseudo-liberal doctrines such as the forced LGBT campaign, as well as in relation to USAID. When statements were made that USAID should be shut down, it was the Georgian Dream members and Georgian authorities who first raised this issue”, he noted.

“Accordingly, we expect that the strategic partnership with our partner country, the United States, will be restored on the basis of specific steps, mutual respect, and equality. What matters most to us is what serves the interests of the Georgian people. It is in our people’s interest to have relations with the world’s largest economy and our strategic partner, which, unfortunately, have been suspended”, Gordiladze continued.

He concluded by emphasising that a review of these relations would ultimately benefit both Georgia and the United States.

“We can also contribute to peace policy from our side”, Gorduladze said.