Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze explains why honorary chairman the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili did not meet with US Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner.

"Bidzina Ivanishvili explained the reasons, and American colleagues know these reasons very well. If they want, they can speak about this reason themselves. The reason is very clear, very specific, and all of this has its own very concrete foundation. If American colleagues have the desire, they can speak about this reason themselves, Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili can also speak about this reason if he wishes to do so. I don't want to talk about this topic because I'm not a specific party in this case. Bidzina Ivanishvili explained the reason to American colleagues," Irakli Kobakhidze said on Monday.

On August 11 Senator Jeanne Shaheen said that Bidzina Ivanishvili had refused to meet with them [ Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner ].

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH 10th District) visited Georgia on August 9. They met with the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili; Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze; Defense Minister, Irakli Chikovani; and CSOs’ representatives. During their bipartisan visit, they also held a informal meeting with representatives of the Georgian political parties.

They also visited the occupation line near the occupied Tskhinvali region and the participants of the U.S. government programs that assist internally displaced persons, entrepreneurs, and students.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, the visit demonstrates that the United States remains fully engaged and committed to supporting the people of Georgia and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.