PM Kobakhidze says fairness must be basis for resetting Georgia-US relations

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said a return to what he described as a fair approach is the key prerequisite for improving relations between Georgia and the United States.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze argued that tensions in Georgian-American relations during recent years stemmed from what he called the previous US administration’s “unfair” treatment of Georgia, adding that relations could only be repaired through mutual respect for Georgia’s national interests and democratic processes.

“Everything that was damaged in Georgian-American relations over recent years was damaged because of the unfair attitude demonstrated by the previous administration. What was undermined on the basis of unfairness can only be restored through the establishment of a fair approach,” he said.

“A fair approach means that everyone should respect our national interests, the election results and the will of the Georgian people. This was not the attitude of the previous US administration,” Kobakhidze added.

The Prime Minister further claimed that the former administration failed to respect either Georgia’s national interests or the outcome of its elections. He also accused it of encouraging, rather than discouraging, what he described as opposition “sabotage”.

Kobakhidze noted that Georgia had recently held a “very interesting first meeting” on specific issues with US representatives and expressed readiness to continue discussions.

Commenting on a question regarding a constitutional lawsuit, Kobakhidze said any external calls for the case to be withdrawn would be viewed by the Georgian Government as a continuation of the unfair treatment it experienced under the previous US administration.

Kobakhidze stressed that all parties should respect the rule of law and legal procedures in Georgia, particularly in matters before the Constitutional Court.

“When a case is brought before Georgia’s Constitutional Court, everyone should treat the relevant legal process and procedures with respect. Respect for the rule of law is extremely important. When we speak about fairness, this is the starting point. Respecting the rule of law is one of the clearest expressions of fairness,” he added.