Kakha Kukava, a co-leader of opposition Conservative Party, called on the authorities to put draft text of the strategic partnership treaty with the United States for public discussion.

“The Conservative Party welcomes cooperation with the western partners, but at the same time, we believe, that the Georgia’s current authorities no longer have mandate to unilaterally take decisions related with the country’s long-term security issues,” Kukava said at a press conference on December 23. “Georgia should be insured from new irresponsible and provocative actions of the Saakashvili’s regime.”

President Saakashvili said on December 22 that talks were ongoing with the United States on strategic partnership treaty, which, he said, would be a response to attempts “to ruin and split Georgia.”

Grigol Vashadze, the Georgian foreign minister, said that the agreement was expected to be signed before the New Year.

The United States signed Strategic Partnership Charter with Ukraine on December 19.