“It does not matter if the regime is legitimate or illegitimate and if it is in partnership relations or confronted with the US, ambassadors hold meetings with the regime representatives and there is nothing unusual in that,” said Irakli Pavlenishvili, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) party.

According to Pavlenishvili, what matters is the conditions voiced for the restoration of the suspended strategic partnership and the resumption of the halted western integration process.

“It is clear that Ivanishvili and his team face difficulties and that standard, protocol-type meetings represent the only legitimizing source for them. We observed ordinary diplomatic practice when ambassadors meet a representative of any regime, including illegitimate or authoritarian.

As for recognition of the government, it will happen only after the West makes a statement that the crisis is discharged, an agreement is reached, the suspended strategic partnership with the US is restored and the halted Western integration process resumes.

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan on March 14.