Georgian PM warns of “reconsidering existing status quo” with US over recent developments

Georgia's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, on Friday cautioned that Tbilisi might need to "reconsider the existing status quo" with the United States if the “current trend” of relations between the two countries continued.

The official’s press comments came after the US administration withdrew an invitation extended to the PM to attend a dinner hosted by President Joe Biden during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. The development followed the latest wave of US sanctions targeting Georgian officials and citizens earlier this month, over allegations of human rights violations and "undermining of democracy”.

Everything depends on the American side - relations cannot continue like this, otherwise, we will have to reconsider the existing status quo”, Kobakhidze said, adding his Government had had “no issues with communication” with the US.

 "We have channels of communication. A meeting was held in Tbilisi recently, including discussions with the US Ambassador. We have clearly conveyed our message to the American side, and this message has been made public. We have stated that relations should not continue in this manner, or else we will need to reassess the status quo. This is our firm stance. Everything now depends on the American side”, the PM reiterated.

Addressing the cancelled invitation, Kobakhidze noted “after Biden's dinner was cancelled, we went out together, including David Zalkaliani [Georgia’s US Ambassador], and enjoyed a Georgian dinner”, adding the decision of Biden’s administration was a "juvenile move”. 

The US is a great country, but such behaviour does not benefit a nation of its stature. It was a juvenile move, and quite unbecoming. For the record, several dozen leaders from authoritarian states were present at the dinner. Leaders of over 150 countries were invited, half of whom lead authoritarian regimes, either formally or constitutionally”, he said.

“The US invited these leaders, yet cancelled the invitation to Georgia. Let the public draw its own conclusions. If authoritarian leaders are welcomed, but Georgia's invitation is withdrawn, what does that say?", the Government head added.

The PM also addressed a press question about his children's presence in New York during his US visit and whether their travel had been covered by the state budget, saying he had paid for his children's “economy class tickets” himself, adding “since I purchased economy class for myself as well, this resulted in a savings of ₾10,000 ($3,700) for the state”.