US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed hope for a positive shift in Georgia’s political trajectory and its relations with the United States, saying Washington has outlined the steps needed for improved bilateral ties and received encouraging responses from Tbilisi.
Speaking during a hearing in the US House of Representatives, Rubio responded to a question from Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, who criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party and raised concerns about Georgia’s political direction and foreign policy orientation.
Wilson alleged that the Georgian Dream government was threatening US interests, claimed elections in Georgia had been rigged, and accused the authorities of facilitating sanctions evasion by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In response, Rubio said the issues raised by Wilson reflected Washington’s existing concerns regarding Georgia.
“You’re right. All of the things you’ve mentioned are our current concerns,” Rubio stated. “They’ve taken some steps that indicate that they want to improve their relationship with the United States. We’ve outlined to them what it would take. We’ve received some positive responses.”
The US Secretary of State said Washington hopes to see meaningful changes in Georgia’s current course.
“Our hope is that we’ll see a change in the trajectory that we have in Georgia today,” Rubio said. “They asked us what it would take to improve relations with the United States. We’ve responded, and hopefully, we will build on that basis and maybe change not only the trajectory of our relationship with Georgia, but also their behavior.”
Rubio did not specify which measures Washington had requested from the Georgian authorities, but his comments come amid strained relations between the two countries and ongoing criticism from US officials over democratic backsliding and governance issues in Georgia.
The remarks suggest that the US administration remains open to improving relations with Tbilisi if it sees concrete changes addressing its concerns.
