Georgian PM signals optimism on renewing strategic partnership with US

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said his Government aimed to renew strategic partnership with the United States “from a clean slate” based on a clear roadmap, noting that recent messages from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforce optimism about a qualitative reset of bilateral relations.

“We state that we want to renew the strategic partnership from a clean slate with a concrete roadmap, and once again, such messages that we are hearing - specifically in this case from Marco Rubio - keep us optimistic about this”, he noted.

Kobakhidze highlighted that a conversation took place between Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili and US Secretary of State on the sidelines of a reception in Milan.

“As for these statements and messages, of course all this sustains our optimism that it is possible to renew our strategic partnership and qualitatively reset relations, which is our desire. We have stated this repeatedly. We declare that we want to renew the strategic partnership from a clean slate with a specific roadmap, and once again, such messages - specifically from Rubio in this case - maintain our optimism”, he said.

The PM added that the brief exchange at the reception lasted several minutes and allowed both sides to share their messages.

“There was a short conversation at the reception, which lasted a few minutes and enabled both sides to exchange their messages. We are grateful to Mr. Rubio; this keeps our optimism regarding the renewal of the strategic partnership”, he noted.

“We rely on direct communication that took place between the foreign ministers of the two countries, as well as between the foreign minister and the president. This is of interest to us. We received specific messages there, which once again sustain our optimism about renewing the strategic partnership. Details could not be discussed at a meeting that lasted only a few minutes. A message was voiced that maintains our optimism regarding the renewal of the strategic partnership”, Kobakhidze concluded.