US Senators Risch, Shaheen send letter of concern to Georgian PM
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US Senator Jim Risch, a chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen, a ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, have sent a letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, expressing concern over ‘recent events that indicate a backsliding from Georgia’s commitment to build the institutions of their democracy.’
The senators say that ‘two of the most pressing matters’ were the Georgian parliament’s rejection of an early-transition to a fully proportional electoral system starting from 2020 instead of scheduled 2024, a promise given by the ruling party, and the ‘violent dispersal’ of following, ‘peaceful protests.’
We understand that the promised electoral reform was expected to give proportional representation to Georgian voters to ensure the system did not unduly favor any one political party. Your government’s decision to prevent that change indicates a backsliding from commitments to build the institutions of Georgia’s democracy,” reads the letter.
The senators said that ‘recent political targeting of opposition leaders through both formal and informal methods is further evidence of Georgia’s democratic backsliding.’
An independent, democratic Georgia has many international supporters, and we are eager to continue to assist your country,” they continued. “However, we are motivated to support Georgia’s economic and political development only as long as we can rely on Georgia to be a stable, trustworthy, and democratic partner in this effort. We sincerely hope that you will work quickly to reverse this decline and fulfill the promises made to the Georgian people,” the senators said.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated earlier this month that "more goals Georgia achieves, the more demands are raised." Photo: Prime Minister's press office.
The Georgian PM has received several of such letters from the US senators over the past few months.
- US Congressman tweets he and three other Congressmen sent letter ‘with grave concerns’ to Georgian PM
- US Congressman Mullin concerned about ‘deteriorating economic climate’ for FDI in Georgia
- US Congressman Babin sends letter to Georgian PM over ‘delayed reforms’
Gakharia stated that Georgian officials are “always ready” to talk to “strategic partners” of the country, stating that US-Georgia relations are at an all-time high and the ‘more goals Georgia achieves, the more demands are raised’ on further progress and the expectations are high.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated in December 2019 that ‘the view of the US and the country’s representatives is “of high value for Georgia.”
However, he stated that ‘much controversial information’ is reaching Washington and in this situation, ‘maintaining correct and timely communication with them plays an important role.’
The Georgian opposition parties say that the letters coming from Washington “are alarming.”
Georgian Independent MP Beka Natsvlishvili, who left the ruling Georgian Dream party last year, has addressed US congressmen, senators and newly appointed Ambassador Kelly Degnan regarding the activities of American oil and gas company Frontera, which has been drilling in eastern Georgia starting 1997.
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger has tweeted that he and three other congressmen have sent a letter to Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia with ‘grave concerns’ over political and economic issues in the country.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze has responded to a recent open letter published by US Congressman Markwayne Mullin on ‘the deteriorating economic climate’ in Georgia, by saying that Georgia listens to the official statements of the US government. “Top officials of the US State Department and our American partners say that Georgia has irreversible progress in terms of development of democratic institutions."
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the concerns of two US congressmen regarding ongoing protests in Tbilisi, stating that the US-Georgia relations are at an all time high and the more goals Georgia achieves, the more demands are raised on further progress and the expectations are high.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has met with US Senator Jim Risch, a chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Jeanne Shaheen, a ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, in Washington earlier today stating that the senators ‘have very obviously seen the political will of the Georgian government to further strengthen democratic institutions in the country.’
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who is one of several congressmen who sent a letter to Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia over the past several weeks, has tweeted that he had a ‘productive meeting’ with Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze in Washington, adding that he appreciates 'Talakvadze’s effort to visit and discuss the importance of our alliance.’
The United States Embassy has reported that the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Director Chris Socha visited Tbilisi to discuss the current political environment in the country.
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has noted "extreme importance" of investment climate in Georgia in the wake of arbitration dispute between the government and the Frontera company. The Georgian government has decided not to terminate its contract with Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation and to allow the company to continue operating in part of the original contract area.