Georgian FM calls withdrawal of US invitation for PM “regrettable”

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Wednesday called the withdrawal of an invitation of Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to a reception hosted by the United States President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly 79th session in New York, “regrettable”.

“We deeply regret that such a decision has been made. The Georgian Government, as before and now continues and will continue in the future to be ready and willing to have open and frank discussions with our strategic partner regarding the issues existing in the bilateral format between the United States and Georgia”, Darchiashvili emphasised.

The FM noted that Georgia saw the “need for a dialogue, partnership, and friendship” whenever countries had “differing opinions” on certain matters, adding “we believe that there is no alternative to dialogue and exchange of views”.

The country’s top diplomat expressed confidence that the “partners who had made this decision would have the opportunity to reconsider it once again”.

The Georgian Government Administration this week said Kobakhidze was set to attend the reception hosted by the US President and his wife Jill Biden in honour of heads of delegations participating in the UNGA session.