Fikria Chikhradze, a leader of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” stated that the United States has not rejected strategic partnership with Georgia, however such a partnership cannot exist with countries that are in absolute contradiction with its strategic interests.

Speaking on Palitranews’ program “Day's Newsroom,” Chikhradze discussed the prospects of US-Georgia relations.

In her assessment, at a time when the United States is fighting the dictatorship in Iran, the Georgian government is celebrating friendship with Iran and illuminating the Antenna in the colors of the Iranian flag, “which is out of place not only in terms of partnership relations, but even from a humanitarian standpoint.”

“Georgia, as a state, should engage with all partners on equal footing and with equal protection of interests. Our criticism of the ‘Georgian Dream’ government is precisely that it has declared a ‘cold war’ with partners, while maintaining close relations with those who occupy Georgian territories or do not fit into our strategic interests. In many cases, the tone is very compliant and apologetic. We strive for a state that is equal with all partners, where every relationship is based on state interests without damage. The US has not said it rejects relations with Georgia, however we no longer have a strategic partnership. Armenia has one, which it previously did not, but today it has advanced. It is very disappointing that what we had achieved, we lost due to the Georgian government’s absolutely deliberate and targeted policy. The US has not rejected strategic partnership with Georgia, but the US has its own interests. Its partnership cannot be formed with countries that are in absolute contradiction with its strategic interests. When the US is fighting the dictatorship in Iran, and at the same time you want to celebrate centuries-old ‘friendship’ with Iran and illuminate a tower in the colors of the Iranian flag, this is out of place not only in terms of partnership relations, but even from a humanitarian standpoint,” Chikhradze said.

She also noted that democratic backsliding in Georgia is an important factor, and that a democratic state cannot accept such a trend.

“No established state would want relations with a country where democratic backsliding and degradation are so visible,” she said.

Chikhradze also commented on Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement that “what could restart Georgian-American relations is a return to fair approaches.” According to her, the ball is in the Georgian government’s court, but officials are essentially echoing Bidzina Ivanishvili’s statements.

“From what we have seen so far, the ball is only being put into the Georgian state’s own goal by our government, which is very unfortunate. The ball is indeed in their court, but there is one peculiarity - the main priority for this government, regardless of what Kobakhidze says as prime minister, is the security and financial security interests of Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili is concerned about sanctions against him, not against his team members. Ivanishvili is concerned with maintaining relations at a level that will not threaten his hold on power, and he is trying to restore partnerships with the democratic world in such a way. He does not want war with everyone, but at the same time he does not want to lose power. If Ivanishvili’s financial interests require it, Kobakhidze, along with his statements, will disappear from the political scene altogether and someone else will start speaking differently, or Kobakhidze himself will change his tone. We have seen their hardline positions many times, but when circumstances require, they completely change,” Chikhradze said.

She also spoke about the situation within the opposition. According to her, the “opposition alliance” has failed to fully uphold mutual non-aggression, and they need to clarify their stance on boycotting elections.

“If anyone thinks that the alliance has monopolized the issue of free and fair elections, I don’t think that is the case. This is a ‘storm in a teacup.’ I could not even follow how this confrontation unfolded. If anyone thinks our strategic partners will tell us: ‘Go ahead, fully push for a boycott,’ that is not the case. One does not need to know the basics of political relations to imagine someone would say that. Our position has already been stated. It would be better for the alliance to clarify its stance - whether it continues a boycott in future elections or believes that power should be changed through elections. Recently there have been statements about a boycott, but many of their representatives say participation in elections is important. Therefore, those who speak about elections and democratic participation should not suddenly attack others with baseless accusations. The alliance has one peculiarity - they agreed on non-aggression among themselves, but could not even uphold that. They even attack each other. I am not surprised that they targeted ‘Lelo.’ This is completely fabricated - a storm in a teacup,” she said.