Georgian PM: opposition “irritated” by new US administration’s statements

the official emphasised Georgia’s “continued friendly stance” toward Estonia, citing “historical ties” and added “we will remain in a unilateral friendship regime with this country. This is our principled decision”. Photo: Gov't Administration

Agenda.ge, 12 Feb 2025 - 19:28, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday claimed the domestic opposition was “irritated” by recent statements from the new United States administration, as they “contradict the long-standing narrative promoted by them”. 

The Donald Trump administration has criticised the activities of the United States Agency for International Development, announcing its dramatic downsizing. 

In his press comments in Dubai, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, the PM, who earlier claimed the USAID funding had been used to “orchestrate revolutions and create unrest” in his country, noted the opposition's reaction, “or lack thereof”, was “unsurprising”. 

According to their messages, there was an ideal West that had no malicious intentions towards our country. However, it turned out that there were very serious trends on the part of the West that opposed our sovereignty. Accordingly, from beginning to end, their conversations were underlined by the idea that no one could have any malicious intentions towards Georgia. In such conditions, it is natural that they find it difficult to answer questions, and I am not at all surprised by their silence”, Kobakhidze said.

He also criticised Estonia and Lithuania for imposing sanctions on high-ranking Georgian officials in December after the Georgian Government’s decision last year not to include European Union accession talks in its agenda until 2028, questioning the sovereignty of the nations.

The statements we hear from specific countries are absolutely frivolous. You also know that Estonia and Lithuania have imposed sanctions on high-ranking officials in our country. This is absolutely frivolous, and all this confirms the only thing - that these countries are not governed sovereignly”, the PM claimed. 

However, the official emphasised Georgia’s “continued friendly stance” toward Estonia, citing “historical ties” and added “we will remain in a unilateral friendship regime with this country. This is our principled decision”.