Government needs to be “strategically focused” to deliver on people’s expectations and the opposition should provide its input with “responsible criticism”, U.S. ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland said on February 4.

“As always it remains very important for the government to be able to govern; the people expect progress, they are looking for jobs, for economic development; the government needs to be strategically focused to provide that kind of result. And the opposition has the role to play in terms of responsible criticism,” the U.S. ambassador told journalists when asked to comment on recent political developments.

“I think there is some concern now that the opposition’s criticism is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy and the net effect is that Georgia’s image internationally is suffering and I think it’s very important for both sides to make this cohabitation process successful,” he said.

He made the remarks on a sideline of an event in Tbilisi during which Interior Minister Irakli Garibashvili presented the ministry’s reform agenda for 2013.