Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday called the withdrawal of his invitation to attend a reception for world leaders hosted by the United States President Joe Biden at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly this week a “humanitarian act for domestic opposition”.
In his comments to the media, Kobakhidze noted this act would “not have any practical effect for the opposition”, adding the invitation had been sent three days prior to its cancellation, calling the move “not serious”.
The US embassy in Georgia told local media the President’s Administration had cancelled the invitation to Kobakhidze and declined all meetings with the Georgian delegation due to the “growing concern related to the anti-democratic actions of the country’s Government, disinformation, and negative rhetoric towards the US and the West”.
In his comments, the country’s Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili called the withdrawal of an invitation “regrettable”, noting Georgia saw a “need for a dialogue, partnership, and friendship” whenever the 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 will have the opportunity to reconsider it”.
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.