GD Deputy Foreign Minister Meets U.S. State Department Official in Washington
Georgian Dream Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia met with Brendan Hanrahan, the U.S. State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs, on February 3. The meeting took place at the Department of State.
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry reported on the meeting, which it said took place as part of Darsalia’s working visit to Washington. According to the official press release, the meeting was also attended by Georgia’s Ambassador to the United States, Tamar Taliashvili, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonara Coulter.
“The parties discussed key issues related to bilateral relations,” the Foreign Ministry said. “The Georgian side once again underscored its readiness to reset relations with the United States and emphasized the importance of renewing the strategic partnership.”
“The discussions also addressed ongoing developments in the region and prospects for cooperation with Georgia,” the press release added. “The U.S. side reaffirmed its unconditional support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The U.S. State Department did not report on the meeting.
The meeting came amid lingering uncertainty over bilateral relations. The United States under President Joe Biden suspended the strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024 and sanctioned Georgian Dream founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili a month later. Since then, Washington under President Donald Trump has remained largely silent toward Tbilisi, despite Georgian Dream’s claims of “shared values” and stated efforts to reset relations “from a clean slate.”
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze commented on the meeting to reporters in Dubai, where he is attending the World Governments Summit. “On our part, we spoke about the same issues we speak about publicly. We want to renew the strategic partnership from a clean slate, with a clear roadmap. This is our openly extended hand,” he said, adding, “We are patiently awaiting a reciprocal response, and I hope that this response will come from the American side. This is our optimistic expectation. The rest remains to be seen as events unfold.”
On February 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia reported on Lasha Darsalia’s another meeting in Washington, this time at the U.S. Department of Commerce, with Under Secretary for International Trade William Kimmitt and Under Secretary for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler. Georgia’s Ambassador to the United States, Tamar Taliashvili, also attended the meeting.
“The parties discussed the development of the Georgia-U.S. partnership in the areas of transport and logistics, regional trade, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation,” the ministry said.
“The discussions addressed ongoing infrastructure projects and prospects for further cooperation in this field. Particular attention was paid to Georgia’s role in the development of the Middle Corridor,” the press release said, adding, “In this context, the parties explored readiness to advance American investments in Georgia’s high-technology sector.”
Lasha Darsalia also attended a meeting at the Georgian Embassy in Washington, where Ambassador Taliashvili hosted State Department officials Jonathan Askonas, senior adviser for policy planning, and Charles Yockey, special assistant.
Note: This article was updated on February 5 at 18:20 to include Lasha Darsalia’s meeting with Department of Commerce representatives.
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