Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen cites “positive expectations” for reboot in Georgia-US relations

Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday reviewed the importance of rebooting relations between Georgia and the United States, noting that there are already positive developments in this direction.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Kaladze emphasised that the Georgian government has repeatedly signaled the need to start the bilateral relationship “from a clean slate”, citing recent diplomatic engagements as evidence of a shift in momentum.

“There are many specific facts that allow us to say we have positive expectations regarding the reboot of relations with America. The prime minister has already held a phone conversation with Marco Rubio, and we are expecting a delegation from the US in early May”, he said.

Kaladze further stressed that Georgia cannot accept hostile or unfriendly attitudes from any country. Referring to past relations, he criticised what he described as the "threatening tone” of the administration of Joe Biden, saying that “hostile and unfriendly approaches toward the Georgian state are categorically unacceptable”.

“The hostile, unfriendly attitude that existed under president [Joe] Biden’s administration towards the Georgian state is categorically unacceptable. We have heard false statements, a threatening tone. Everyone must take into account and respect a sovereign state. We are a small state, but we carry a great culture”, he continued.

The mayor also claimed that certain externally influenced groups within Georgia are opposed to improving ties with the United States. He alleged that these groups, which he described as having no genuine connection to the Georgian people, have been funded with substantial resources and operate through non-governmental organisations and political parties.

“We know who excludes the possibility of renewing relations between Georgia and America. These are people who have no connection to the Georgian people. They are representatives of foreign agents. Hundreds of millions were spent to create such a network in the country. This could have taken the form of non-governmental organizations or specific political parties. This was not only happening in Georgia, but in other countries as well. They wanted to manage them through their agents. They even tried to hinder the path toward European integration. They are ordinary traitors”, he concluded.