US Congressman: Georgia is strongest democracy in region

Georgia is and will continue to be the strongest democratic country in its region, Ted Poe the Head of the Georgia’s Friends’ Group in the United States (US) Congress said yesterday.

At a reception dedicated to the Georgian Parliamentary Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to the US, Congressman Poe said that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that if he defeats Georgia, he can control the other post-Soviet states.

Georgian Parliamentary Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze (L) attends a reception dedicated to his visit to the US. Photo by Georgian Parliament's press office

Stressing that Georgia and the US have a lot of values in common, Congressman Poe said Russian President Putin still wishes to rebuild the Soviet Union, and this is why he first attacked Georgia – the strongest democratic country in the region.

Poe said the US should be even more firm in its support of Georgia and Ukraine and help these countries preserve their freedom and independence in the difficult neighbourhood.

• Read also: US pledges further support for Georgia

Poe said the US believes that Russia has illegally occupied the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as well as the regions of Ukraine.

Thanking his US colleagues for their firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Kobakhidze said the US is Georgia’s main strategic partner and a very good friend.

Georgia has taken inspiration for strengthening democracy from the US from the 1990s. We are grateful [to the US] for supporting [our] statehood and supporting sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, security...which is so important for developing Georgian democracy and the economy”, Kobakhidze said.

Georgia’s Parliament Speaker Kobakhidze left to the US on Saturday.

He has already met with several high ranking executive officials and lawmakers, who pledged their support to Georgia’s further development and territorial integrity.