Georgian PM highlights importance of “rebooting relations” with “strategic partner” US

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday highlighted the importance of “rebooting” the country’s relations with its “strategic partner” United States.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Kobakhidze suggested by next year “we will have a qualitatively different degree in our relations”.

“In general, we respect the choice of the American people, it is none of our business who the American people choose, we must cooperate with any administration”, Kobakhidze said in reference to the upcoming presidential elections.

He also said there was “no alternative” to rebooting the relations.

In any case, I think the war [in Ukraine] will be over next year, whether it is [with] one [US] administration or the other, and it is after the war that it will be easier to reboot relations with any administration, be it the Democrats or the Republicans”, he continued.

“The main thing is that we see the mutual steps. If there are mutual steps, of course, nothing stands in the way of rebooting relations”, the Government head also told the interview.

“Georgia is a small country. The United States is a very large country with global influence. Therefore, everything is in their hands. We cannot fundamentally change anything. The main thing is that we take steps and wait for the mutual steps. As soon as these steps are taken, the reboot will occur immediately”, Kobakhidze said.

He further added the “main factor” for a reset of the ties was the war in Ukraine and “not which administration is in power” in the US.