Georgian PM reiterates “readiness to reboot relations” with US

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday reiterated his Government’s “readiness to reboot relations” with the United States.

Kobakhidze said there would be a change in the relations between the two countries “as soon as reciprocal steps are taken” by the US Government.

We are completely prepared for a relationship reboot. Over the past three to four years, a lot has gone wrong in these relations, so the relations need a reboot. We are absolutely ready for this, and the main thing is to see the reciprocal steps”, he said.

The PM also commented on the Megobari Act, approved by the US following the adoption of a controversial law on transparency of foreign influence by the Georgian Parliament late May, by claiming it contained “direct blackmail”.

This Act contains direct blackmail. This in itself is not a step that will help to reboot the relationship. [...] We need real reciprocal steps to reboot relations. We are waiting for pragmatic and friendly steps”, he noted.

Kobakhidze further added discussions on potential sanctions on Georgia following the adoption of the law were “counterproductive”, and pointed out that “instead of blackmail and threats, we should have a healthy conversation about improving relations, restarting them”.