Georgian PM meets US Ambassador, “voicing concern” over US sanctions

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday met Robin Dunnigan, the Ambassador of the US to the country to discuss the United States Department of the Treasury's decision to impose visa and financial restrictions on several individuals and entities in Georgia, including police officers.

The Georgian PM expressed his “personal respect” for the Ambassador, voicing “concern” over the decision of the State Department issued on Monday, the Government’s Administration said.

The meeting noted that “with this decision”, the American side “drew closer to critical limits”, and that, “should another decision of this kind be made, may call for essentially reconsidering Georgia’s position on Georgian-American relations”. 

It was also noted that the decision made on behalf of the State Department seeks to improve the domestic “opposition’s chances” in the upcoming general elections next month, though it was “absolutely counterproductive”, because “in reality it would not have any impact on the opposition’s election outcomes, nor would intimidate the ruling [ Georgian Dream] team”.

Kobakhidze further pointed out that “on the contrary”, the ruling team was convinced that the “decision made on behalf of the US Department would further “cement the public’s motivation to take a strong stance and stand guard over Georgia’s independence and sovereignty” on upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26.