Georgian Government Aims to Revitalize US Relations with Clear Strategic Agenda

Photo: civil.ge

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Monday his commitment to establishing a “real strategic partnership” with the United States, emphasizing his government’s dedication to European integration despite the delay in EU accession talks until 2028.

Speaking at a Government session, the PM claimed Georgia's relationship with the US had previously been based on “formal agreements” that he said “lacked meaningful content”, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgian media.

"We had a strategic partnership with the US that had been [only] written on paper until now, but it had no real substance”, he claimed, and expressed optimism the new US administration would help transform the relationship into one with “concrete goals and a specific roadmap."

We want to start talking about a real strategic partnership that will have real content and an agenda”, Kobakhidze added, highlighting the importance of “shared values as the foundation of this partnership”.

On the topic of European integration, the PM reassured the public that his office was “fully committed” to fulfilling its obligations under the 2014 Association Agenda and the Free Trade agreement. 

The official pledged “over 90 percent” of the obligations would be met by 2028. 

"The European integration process will continue as intensively as possible," he said, addressing domestic political concerns and dismissing calls for early elections from opposition parties.

Kobakhidze announced the suspension of the country’s EU accession talks for four years on November 28, citing interest in “dignified” integration amid a “cascade of insults and blackmail by European politicians and bureaucrats”. 

In response to the decision, the US suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia on December 1.