By advancing our interests whilst taking account of the interests of the American people, we are ready to agree on a framework for strategic partnership. Such a statement made todya Speaker of the Georgian Parliament.

“Conversation between the US Secretary of State and the Georgian Prime Minister signals that relations between our countries and governments have ascended to the highest political level. We expect that concrete answers will now be found as to what the partnership between Georgia and the US should look like.

In April, we anticipate that the next steps will be directed towards a reset of relations.

We are seeing an increase in visits of various levels and purposes in recent times. The goal is not simply to restore a strategic partnership, but to have a partnership between Georgia and America grounded in mutual interests. The strategic partnership was signed in 2009, after the August war. It was, in effect, a consolation prize for Mikheil Saakashvili following a lost war. It was never given the substance it ought to have had between genuine strategic partners. We propose that this serve as a comprehensive framework, filled with substantive content and rooted in the shared interests of both nations, clearly outlining our mutual expectations and the overarching objectives of this partnership. We are open to that dialogue.

The conversation between Marco Rubio and Irakli Kobakhidze shows that the new US administration is equally willing, which gives us cause for optimism. All of this has taken somewhat longer than one might have hoped, but we have seen various crises unfold in the interim. Better late than never.

By prioritizing our interests, considering the aspirations of the American people, we are prepared to establish a framework for a strategic partnership. We are not referring to any conditions on our side, nor have any conditions been imposed on theirs. That would be wholly at odds with the spirit we have shown and that the new US administration has also demonstrated, including through this phone call”, - said Shalva Papuashvili.