Gigi Tsereteli, Chair of the “European Georgia” party, said after meeting with representatives of the U.S. State Department that Georgia needs partnership with the United States rather than Russia, adding that current policies of “Georgian Dream” are moving the country away from the West.

According to him, restoring relations with the United States requires political change.

“I will not speak about the details of the meeting. The main point is that the U.S. has an interest in Georgia, and that is important. We need to be America’s partner, not Russia’s. With the policy that ‘Georgian Dream’ is pursuing, we are moving away from the West and getting closer to Russia.

Restoring relations requires change. When there is repression, political prisoners, and no prospect of free elections, in such circumstances the U.S. cannot restore relations in full functional capacity. Visits may take place, but the country’s development and large-scale projects that Georgia needs require radical political change, and this cannot be achieved without democratic elections,” Tsereteli said.