PM Kobakhidze: Georgia ready to restart US partnership “from clean slate”

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says Georgia is ready to restart its strategic partnership with the US “from a clean slate,” provided there is a fair and constructive approach from Washington.

In an interview with Rustavi 2, Kobakhidze said that despite the damage done to bilateral relations in recent years, Georgia remains open to resetting ties.

“As soon as a step is taken from their side, we are ready to fully restart the strategic partnership with the US from a completely clean slate,” he said.

Kobakhidze called attention to what he described as a symbolic move by the US after ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili refused to accept a letter from the American embassy. On that same day, the US ambassador to Georgia was effectively dismissed, and the Biden administration granted approval for Tamar Taliashvili to become Georgia’s new ambassador to Washington.

“This was a demonstrative act — a major gesture, and we are grateful for it,” he said, adding that relations had “significantly worsened” under the previous two US ambassadors.

He emphasized that the future of the partnership depends on a foundation of mutual respect.

“We are not expecting messages delivered through blackmail. We are waiting for a fair and healthy attitude. If that happens, nothing can stand in the way of a reset,” Kobakhidze stated.

He concluded by saying Georgia is prepared to move forward with a detailed roadmap focused on mutual benefit.

“We’ve made a clear and ambitious proposal — one that prioritizes the interests of both Georgia and the US. Now we await a constructive response,” he said.