Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker calls Rubio-Kobakhidze call “highly significant” for Georgia-US relations

Thea Tsulukiani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday described the recent phone call between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze as “highly significant”, expressing cautious optimism about the future of bilateral relations.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Tsulukiani emphasised that both the fact of the call and its substance provide grounds for hope that strained relations may begin to improve.

“This call and the very fact that it took place are extremely important. Based on its content, we can cautiously express hope that relations will begin to normalize. There is no alternative - it is only a matter of time, and we want this to happen as soon as possible”, the official said.

She also responded to criticism from opposition figures regarding the call, questioning their negative reactions amid what she described as a difficult global and regional context.

“How can one not welcome the fact that, in such a challenging international environment, the US secretary of state calls your country’s prime minister? This conversation offers hope that a prolonged process may shift onto a healthier path. For any Georgian, failing to appreciate this is a serious problem. These forces will not win over voters this way. The electorate is growing, learning, and has seen much - they no longer respect such unserious attitudes”, she continued.

Tsulukiani stressed that voters in Georgia have become more informed and discerning, and are less tolerant of what she described as “non-serious” political reactions.

“The voter is also growing, learning, and has seen many things, and therefore no longer respects such unserious behavior or supports it. These forces failed to understand that. Instead of asking substantive questions, some pretended not to understand, while others downplayed or oversimplified it. The main point is that this call and the fact itself are very important. Based on its content, we can cautiously express hope that relations will improve. It cannot be otherwise; it is only a matter of time, and we want this to happen as soon as possible”, she concluded.