Ruling party Sec Gen emphasises importance of friendly ties, strategic partnership with United States

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said that maintaining friendly relations and a strategic partnership with the United States was a key priority for the Georgian Government.

Speaking to journalists about open letters published by philosopher Zaza Shatirishvili and President Mikheil Kavelashvili addressed to US President Donald Trump, Kaladze stressed that the Government was supporting Trump in fulfilling his major campaign promises.

“We have repeatedly expressed our readiness, and I would like to confirm once again, as both the Secretary General of our party and the Mayor of the capital city, that we are fully ready to start relations on a new page, deepen them, and make them friendly. The letter clearly mentioned the importance we attach to friendly relations and a strategic partnership with the United States. The Georgian Dream party and the Georgian Government are ready for this”, the official said.

He further added that, given the challenging developments worldwide, the Georgian Government was currently in an observant and waiting mode.

“Let us wait. I understand that the world is facing very serious developments. We saw two main promises from President Trump - ending wars, which has not yet been fully realised, and defeating the deep state, which has been involved in attempts to overthrow governments and stage coups using various means, including funding NGOs. It has become clear to everyone what these so-called NGOs serve. We support President Trump. The first promise, ending wars, is very important - we want peace and wish it for Ukraine. Naturally, defeating the deep state is also important. All of this should be reflected in our country and our relations”, Kaladze said.

Regarding expectations for a potential reboot in US-Georgia relations under the Trump administration, Kaladze said today’s situation was drastically different from what it was before January 20.

“You can see the current state - it is completely different from what it was before January 20. Don’t you see what is happening in the world? What we discussed - President Trump publicly named organisations and actions. Previously, when we spoke about NGOs announcing revolutions or funding attempts at state overthrows, we were told they were only engaged in good deeds. But the President of such a major country directly named these organisations, and a lot of material circulated in social media, including regarding Georgia, showing funds entering the country through these organisations to stage coups. This is the unfortunate reality”, Kaladze concluded.