“The relationship must move onto a positive footing, and to that end, concrete and significant steps are being taken from both the American and Georgian sides,” stated MP Davit Matikashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Procedural Issues.

In his assessment, Georgia–US relations have entered a new phase, as made clear by statements from both Marco Rubio and his deputy.

“Regardless of how some people frame their questions, and regardless of the non-existent facts, wishful thinking, and personal fantasies they weave into those questions in an attempt to extract some negative response from the head of the State Department, his answer was unequivocal and unmistakable. The strained relationship is a legacy of the Biden administration and demands a change of course. Naturally, that relationship must now move onto a positive trajectory, and concrete, meaningful steps are being taken towards that end from both the American and the Georgian sides. We are a sovereign and independent state. America consistently emphasises that its new policy is built precisely on the principles of sovereignty, independence and dignity. We are ready to begin a mutually beneficial relationship between our two nations from a clean page and a new starting point. The ball is now in America’s court. The hope is that this commitment moves from words to deeds in good time, that the relationship deepens and reaches a level befitting two sovereign, independent states engaged in a relationship of mutual dignity,” said Matikashvili.