US.News dedicates positive post to Georgia: “Stand Up for Georgia.”

An influential America publication- US.News- has dedicated a positive post to Georgia entitled as Stand Up for Georgia. 

The opinion revealed by Denis Corboy, senior research fellow at King's College London, former European Union (EU) ambassador to Armenia and Georgia, William Courtney- adjunct senior fellow at the RAND Corporation, former United States’ (US) ambassador to Kazakhstan and Georgia and Kenneth Yalowitz- Director of the Conflict Resolution Program at Georgetown University and a Global Fellow of the Woodrow Wilson Center, former US ambassador to Belarus and Georgia, highlighted the positive milestones Georgia could reach and mentioned the challenges the country was facing. 

The authors have stressed that with a new Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikahsvili, "Georgia has an opportunity to reinvigorate its democracy and economy.” 

But two main challenges lie ahead for him: organizing free and fair parliamentary elections this year and stimulating the economy and foreign investment,” 

The high ranking officials emphasised that  "although Middle East and Russia-Ukraine crises loom large, Western leaders cannot forget Georgia. It needs their support to deter risks and advance progress.”

Influential foreign diplomats say that  with its new Prime Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Georgia can "reinvigorate its economy and democracy." Photo by the Prime Minister's webpage. 

The three underscored that Georgia has achieved major advancements in the fields of economy, elections, judiciary, infrastructure and many other directions. However, according to them, the country needed to maintain and take more steps to boost the progress. 

The quality of elections in Georgia has improved, and next year's parliamentary balloting could help solidify democratic rule.” 

Progress has been made in judicial reform, but political retribution and selective justice are concerns. Georgia could help allay them by inviting the OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to conduct an independent examination of criminal charges .” 

In recent years Georgia has made progress with its economy, a universal health care system, and roads, ports and infrastructure. Even corruption has declined; In 2015 Georgia attracted a record $1.7 billion in foreign direct investment, despite Russian security risks,” the authors said, but noted that the local people’s income still remained low.

On an urgent basis, Kvirikashvili's government should forge a coherent, realistic program to address economic problems. This will help show that the authorities know how to move the country forward,” the diplomats said. 

The authors urged the west and the US to help Georgia to strengthen its security and provide better economic opportunities. 

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