US act bans gov’t from supporting states that recognise Georgia’s occupied regions

The United States House of Representatives passed the act yesterday together with the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. Photo from appropriations.house.gov
Agenda.ge, 06 May 2017 - 12:13, Tbilisi,Georgia

United States President Donald Trump has signed a legislative act banning the US government from financially helping countries that recognise the independence of Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions.

The act was passed by the US House of Representatives on May 3 together with the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.

None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made available for assistance for the central government of a country that the Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations has recognized the independence of, or has established diplomatic relations with, the Russian occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia”, the document reads.

It adds that to do so is in the national interest of the United States.

None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made available to support the Russian occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia”, the act adds.

It also notes that the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the US executive directors of each international financial institution to vote against any assistance by such institution (including any loan, credit, or guarantee) for any program that violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on actions taken by the Russian Federation to further consolidate the occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, including the estimated annual costs of such occupation”, the document says.

Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze assessed the act passed by the House of Representatives as "a very important decision”.

Minister Janelidze said earlier this week that "once approved, it will be a very important instrument to support the non-recognition policy of our country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty”.