Ivanishvili Cited Clear Reason for Not Meeting US Senators, Says Georgian PM
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgian Dream party, has provided a clear and specific reason for his decision not to meet with American senators, according to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze emphasized that the rationale behind Ivanishvili's choice is well-known to the involved parties and has a solid basis.
Kobakhidze suggested that if the American senators choose, they can disclose the reason themselves. "Bidzina Ivanishvili explained the reasons, which American colleagues know very well. If they want, they can bring it out themselves. The reason is very clear, very specific, and all this has a very specific basis," Kobakhidze stated. He added that it is up to the parties involved in the communication to discuss the matter further if they wish to do so.
While the Prime Minister refrained from going into detail, citing that he is not directly involved in the matter, he confirmed that Ivanishvili had directly communicated the reason to the American counterparts.
Kobakhidze discussed the importance of resetting Georgian-American relations, referring to recent statements by Congressman Mike Turner and Senator Jeanne Shaheen. He emphasized that "resetting relationships requires a fair, correct, healthy approach," Kobakhidze noted that Georgia has already taken steps in this direction and is now waiting for reciprocal actions from the U.S.
"We are in a waiting mode, expecting retaliatory steps from our American colleagues," Kobakhidze said. He further stressed the importance of avoiding the negative developments seen over the past four years, including actions attributed to the former U.S. ambassador. "It is important and necessary that in the next year, we do not see such processes as we have seen in the past four years," he added.
Kobakhidze mentioned his recent personal meetings with a U.S. senator and congressman but indicated that these discussions had yet to lead to significant progress. "Unfortunately, conversations remain conversations. We have very clearly told our colleagues how we see the reset of Georgian-American relations," he said.
