Georgian Parliament Speaker: Georgia expects full restoration of strategic partnership with US

Georgia expects that, beyond working-level meetings and contacts, the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States will be fully restored, said on Friday Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.

In his remarks over the matter, Papuashvili noted that the current state of relations was not Georgia’s responsibility, but rather the result of actions taken by the previous US administration.

“We expect that, in addition to working meetings and other contacts, the strategic partnership between our countries will be fully restored. This is not our fault. It is the fault of the previous administration of the United States that, under its rule, relations with the Georgian people and Georgia were damaged”, the Speaker said.

Papuashvili further emphasised Georgia’s role in ensuring global security, highlighting the country’s contribution to NATO-led missions.

“Georgia stood by NATO and the United States under the most difficult conditions to protect global security. I remind everyone that Georgia ranks first in Afghanistan in terms of the number of fallen soldiers per capita. We are first compared to all other countries, whether NATO members or non-members. We are also fourth even among NATO member states in terms of the size of the contingent we deployed to Afghanistan”, he said.

Papuashvili described Georgia’s involvement as a demonstration of friendship and partnership toward the United States, adding that the Biden administration failed to appreciate these efforts.

“Unfortunately, the Biden administration did not value this. Instead of support, we witnessed attempts to undermine Georgian democracy. I believe this is another wrongdoing of the Biden administration, and it is important that the Trump administration correct it”, the Speaker added.

Papuashvili expressed hope that the new US administration would take steps to improve relations, noting that Georgia remains ready for renewed cooperation.