Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze urged Washington not to threaten Georgia with sanctions. Such a tone from the United States is counterproductive, he said.
"We are fully ready to reset relations with the United States. Over the past three or four years, a lot has gone wrong in this relationship. We expect fair, pragmatic and friendly steps. Instead of blackmail and threats, we should have a healthy conversation," Kobakhidze said.
The Georgian Prime Minister also responded to US advice not to let China build a deep-water port in Anaklia.
"In order to strengthen our function within the framework of the "Middle Corridor", it is important to have maximum cooperation both in the direction of the West and The East. In this regard, the participation of the Chinese company in the development of the Anaklia project is of particular importance. The effective operation of this port will largely depend on Chinese cargo," Kobakhidze stressed.
As EADaily reported, the United States is considering new sanctions against Georgian officials and politicians. The situation in Georgia was discussed at a hearing in the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Deputy Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien, following the hearing, named three main issues: the parliamentary elections in October, the law on foreign agents and the arrival of Chinese investors in the project to build a deep-water port in Anaklia.
"It should be clear to the Georgian government that there is a way back. Free and fair elections should be held without violence against civil society. The law on foreign agents can be brought into line with EU legislation, and not with Russian legislation. And to prevent China from building a deep-water port in Anaklia. These steps are really important for Georgia today," the American official said.
The United States is dissatisfied with the fact that the ruling Georgian Dream has adopted the law "On Transparency of foreign Influence", which is designed to reveal in whose interests Georgian NGOs and the media are working, as well as the fact that the port in Anaklia will be built by a Singapore-Chinese concern. If the law on foreign agents is not canceled, and the opposition does not win the parliamentary elections, a coup d'etat is being prepared for Georgia. The United States has already imposed visa sanctions against the leadership of the Georgian Dream and their family members. In addition, the United States stopped financial assistance to the Georgian budget, but sent it to Georgian NGOs.
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