US budget draft reads increased funds for Georgia

The budget allocations for Georgia have been increased in the 2019 Fiscal Budget of the US (FY19 Consolidated Appropriations Act), the Georgian Foreign Ministry says.

The funds amount to USD 127,025,000 for carrying out of foreign operations and related programs, more than USD 22 million compared to the funding allocated in 2018.

“The Act reads that USD 275 million will be allocated within the framework of the Fund Against Russia’s Influence for European and Asian countries, including Georgia for development of law enforcement and security forces and for boosting the relationship with the EU and NATO in the development and security,” the ministry reports.

The bill reads that those countries which will recognize the independence of the two occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) or establish diplomatic ties with them, will receive no funding from the United States.

The bill also prohibits the support for any program which will violate Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The bill says that it is prohibited to issue any grants, loans and credits that violate Georgian sovereignty.

The draft bill also calls on US Treasury for giving instructions to international financial institutions not to support financing of any program (credit, grant) that violates Georgia’s territorial integrity and state sovereignty.