For Georgia’s MP Sharashidze: Resetting strategic relations with the US takes more than staged photos and handshakes

“Resetting strategic relations with the United States cannot be achieved through mere protocol meetings, staged photos, and handshakes,” opposition MP Giorgi Sharashidze of the Gakharia for Georgia party declared on Friday.

Speaking to journalists, Sharashidze stated it was regrettable that the ruling Georgian Dream party felt compelled to wave a photo around and parade it as a major diplomatic breakthrough.

“The UN General Assembly takes place every year, and the US President traditionally hosts an official reception for visiting delegation leaders. I have never belittled speeches delivered by our national leaders from the UN podium, nor am I doing so now. However, in the current climate, I cannot attribute any special weight to this event, as we saw clearly that no serious, substantive, or business-oriented meetings took place,” Sharashidze said.

“The photograph showing a handshake with Donald Trump was entirely routine protocol. No substantial issues could have been discussed in a split second like that. The very fact that Georgian Dream feels the need to flaunt this photo merely underscores the deeper troubles facing the ruling party,” the opposition MP continued.