“We deeply regret that, under the Biden administration, Georgian-American relations have reached the current state. Georgia is eager to improve these relations, to reset them within a positive framework, and we will do everything possible to steer them in that direction,” stated Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Rustavi 2 TV.

As Botchorishvili emphasised, Georgia’s positions have been clearly articulated on numerous occasions.

“We seek a genuine strategic partnership, one that is filled with meaningful content. We are very sorry that, during the Biden administration, our relations have deteriorated to this point. Nevertheless, Georgia remains committed to restoring and revitalising this relationship, to resetting it within a constructive and positive context. We will do everything in our power to ensure this happens.

At the same time, we have observed that this period has been accompanied by quite strong rhetoric, which we understand; perhaps not at the level of the State Department or the highest echelons, but from various sides, including other levels of dialogue. There have been attempts to alarm Georgian society, such as the discussions surrounding the MEGOBARI Act and the statements related to it. There has also been an active social campaign by Wilson [Rep Joe Wilson] against Georgia. However, it is clear now that the so-called MEGOBARI Act [this abbreviation is translated in Georgian language as Friend Act] is no longer relevant. The name itself is misleading; we have repeatedly stated that it bears no relation to friendship, and we do not want this to form the basis of Georgian-American relations.

At present, the MEGOBARI Act is not under discussion, nor are there any ongoing efforts to amend or introduce it into other legislation for adoption. There is no indication whatsoever that such steps will be taken in the near future. Nonetheless, we would appreciate some clarity regarding Washington’s interests in its relations with Georgia,” Botchorishvili concluded.