US House Foreign Affairs Committee shows support for territorial integrity of Georgia
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Friday, May 24
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congressional Chamber introduced an act supporting Georgia. A bi-partisan bill was signed by 23 members. The document says that the US continues to support democratic development of Georgia. The act emphasizes the strong support of the US for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia and initiates sanctions against human rights violations on the occupied territories.
“The United States supports free and fair elections in Georgia, transparency and accountability of public sector, rule of law and anti-corruption efforts,” reads the resolution.
Other than that, the document emphasizes US support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Support for Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration is also indicated in the act.
“We support the right of the Georgian people to define their own future and make an independent and sovereign choice of foreign and security policy, including determining their country's relations with other nations and international organizations without any interference and intimidation from other countries in this process. The US supports Georgia's Euro-Atlantic and European Integration Course,” the document notes.
The authors of the document emphasize that the United States does not recognize the enforced territorial changes, including invasion and occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia by the Russian Federation.
“The US condemns current detentions, kidnappings and other human rights violations in Georgia's Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions that have been occupied by the Russian Federation, including the killings of Georgian citizens - Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria and Davit Basharuli” the document says.
The authors of the document note that the US supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Georgia and calls on Russia to comply with the August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement.
The document focuses on strengthening Georgia's defense capabilities through cooperation between the US and Georgia in defense and security fields. The draft bill says that the US has provided more than $ 2 Billion to Georgia in 2018. The authors of the document think that the US financial aid in Georgia should increase.
The congressmen also pointed out that Georgia has contributed to Euro-Atlantic peace and security through participation in NATO missions in Afghanistan. With the number of Georgian troops deployed, the country is one of the largest contributors to the missions.
After 180 days from the final approval of the Georgian Support Act, based on the consultations of heads of relevant departments, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the House of Reps Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which will review the US assistance to Georgia in the security sphere.
The document says that the President of the United States should impose sanctions on human rights violations in the occupied regions of Georgia and responsible persons.
In addition, the congressmen consider it necessary for the US to help the Georgia in strengthening cybersecurity. The document also speaks of the importance of resisting Russian disinformation.
The report reads, that supporting freedom of press in Georgia should be the US policy. As well as strengthening Georgia's capabilities to fight against Russian misinformation and propaganda that is aimed at infringing Georgia's sovereignty and democratic institutions.
The Congress calls on the US Trade Representative to take effective steps to start negotiations on free trade agreement with Georgia.
The act is initiated by chairmen of friendship group of Georgia, Gerry Connolly and Adam Kinzinger.
Eliot Engel, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives, said the act of the House of Representatives provides support to Georgia in order to combat the threats and support the country's democratic institutions.
“Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and the Kremlin continues to attack Georgia by sabotaging, misinformation, campaigns and cyber-attacks. This Act guarantees support to fight these threats and support its democratic institutions. This is a good bill to strengthen US-Georgia relations and I am glad that today we will take a step forward,” said Eliot Engel.
Reactions to the Act in Georgia were very positive. Sophie Katsarava, a Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of Georgia, commented on the news: “Such support from the United States of America means that Georgia holds an important place in the US foreign policy… It [the bill] reflects all the vital issues for Georgia: territorial integrity, independence, difficult situation in the occupied territories and truly unprecedented cooperation in terms of security and defense. In the security part it is necessary to note that the draft law deals with misinformation, propaganda and threats coming from Russia” said the MP.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the chairperson of the Georgian Dream's faction at the Parliament also commented: “When the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives supports such a document, it means that this is a new stage [of relations] and it is a recognition of the successes achieved by our country. The political weight of the bill is the greatest. There are several matters in this document, including the obligation of the Secretary of State to present a five-year strategy for cooperation with Georgia in defense and security. Also, the special representative was ordered to submit certain documents on the strategy of free trade, to study this field and start negotiations, which is very important for Georgia's economy.”
