Georgia’s ruling party official says developments in Georgia-US relations progressing “very logically” and in “extremely optimistic” direction

Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday said that developments in relations between Georgia and the United States are progressing “very logically” and in an “extremely optimistic” direction.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Machavariani noted that the Georgian government has “full alignment” with the new US administration on all major issues, adding that nothing should stand in the way of restoring bilateral relations.

“We are very optimistic because a certain type of working process has already begun and will continue. Another delegation, assembled by Mr. Rubio, will arrive later this month”, he said.

He further added that relations between the two countries were damaged by the previous US administration, arguing that criticism from Georgia’s radical opposition regarding the government’s stance toward the former administration was unfounded.

“First of all, I would like to remind everyone that these relations were damaged by the previous administration. When the radical opposition criticises us and claims that our grievances with the previous administration are the reason relations have not yet been restored, that is nonsense, because the very people with whom we had grievances - and against whom we were acting defensively - are now being described by the current administration as enemies”, the official continued.

Machavariani further added that the Georgian government had openly supported Donald Trump, and there was full alignment in terms of values, worldview, and messaging.

“We openly supported Donald Trump. There is complete alignment in values, worldview, messaging, and assessments regarding Euro-bureaucrats. There is absolute compatibility in everything, and logically, nothing should prevent the restoration of relations”, he concluded.