Georgian PM on letter of 4 US Congressmen: we are always ready to talk to our strategic partners
Giorgi Gakharia, who is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21-24, responded to a question from a Georgian journalist. Photo: Government of Georgia's press office
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said in response to the recent letter from the four United States Congressmen that Georgian officials are “always ready” to talk to “strategic partners” of the country.
Gakharia, who is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21-24, responded to the question from a Georgian journalist.
“We do not have a problem to objectively discuss any assessment, even sharp, fair… or unfair”, PM Gakharia said, noting that “perhaps a letter is not the form of a conversation between strategic partners and friends”.
We need to understand that whatever the motives behind such letters or assessments, we believe that these are sincere steps in support of the friendship and Georgia's democratic development process that I am confident our strategic partner - the United States, supports”, he added.
However, he also noted that the assessments can be subjective, therefore, the Georgian officials will talk, explain and show everything to everyone.
Georgia is developing the fastest and most stable in the region in terms of economy. We will explain this to our friends and colleagues in details, in figures, certain examples and results, which we are achieving together every day”, PM Gakharia said.
Congressmen Adam Kinzinger, Gerald Connoly, Eliot Engel and Michael McCaul wrote to Gakharia on January 21 that they were concerned "over the decision to forego promised democratic reforms and the associated violence against peaceful protesters” in Georgia.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says that making deeper strategic ties with the US and the EU “is the only way” for Georgia to “survive in a region full of challenges.”Speaking at the New Ambitions for Europe Panel in Davos during the World Economic Forum earlier today, Gakharia said that the region Georgia belongs to is “extremely challenging,” and Georgia has to cope with “daily challenges” caused by the occupation of 20 per cent of its territories by Russia.
Congressmen Adam Kinzinger, Gerald Connoly, Eliot Engel and Michael McCaul wrote on January 21 that they are “concerned over the decision to forego promised democratic reforms and the associated violence against peaceful protesters” in Georgia.
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger has tweeted that he and three other congressmen have sent a letter to Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia with ‘grave concerns’ over political and economic issues in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the concerns of two US congressmen regarding ongoing protests in Tbilisi, stating that the US-Georgia relations are at an all time high and the more goals Georgia achieves, the more demands are raised on further progress and the expectations are high.
United States Congressman Brian Babin, who is a member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, has sent a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia over “delayed reforms and a declining climate for US investment” in the country.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has met with the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State of European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker in Washington to discuss the issues of strategic partnership.“The Georgia-US cooperation has been given high assessments in all fields, as well as the activities of the group created per the Strategic Partnership Charter,” Georgian Foreign Ministry reported earlier today.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze, who is visiting the United States from February 5-10, is holding meetings with US Congressmen. Talakvadze held his first meeting with Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who is one of thoe legislators who sent letters to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia with ‘grave concerns’ over political and economic issues in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia will meet with the US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper later today on the sidelines of the 56th Munich Security Conference. Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani says that the meeting is of high importance. “The meeting carries high importance as the relationship with our strategic partner is a top priority for the Georgian government. The US-Georgia exemplary cooperation in the defence field should strengthen further,” Zalkaliani said.
US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper has praised Georgia’s contribution to international peace and security and expressed his support for Georgia’s territorial integrity while meeting with Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia during the 56th Munich Security Conference earlier today. “Successful bilateral cooperation was underlined at the meeting, along with a significant support of the US in the implementation of reforms in the defense and security fields,” the government of Georgia press office reports.
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger has welcomed an agreement between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition on how to hold the 2020 elections, ‘applauding’ the efforts of all parties involved in the negotiations, ‘including Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze and the US Embassy in Georgia under Ambassador Kelly Degnan.’
US Acting Assistant Secretary of State of European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker congratulated Georgia on its Independence Day and said that ‘the United States will always support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.’