US President signs bill increasing assistance for Georgia
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has welcomed the United States 2018 Spending Bill increasing US assistance for Georgia.
US President Donald Trump signed the $1.3 trillion spending bill into law yesterday. $105,325,000 will now be made available for assistance for Georgia.
I would like to thank the US Congress and the Administration of President Donald Trump for yet another demonstration of firm support at a legislative level”, PM Kvirikashvili said.
The document condemns any form of recognition of the independence of or the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Russian-occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), as well as the support of the Russian occupation of Georgian territories.
It is a clear confirmation of support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by both the US Congress and Administration and of commitment to deepen the two countries’ strategic partnership and further intensify their cooperation”, Kvirikashvili added.
Georgia is among key European countries that will receive United States funding to counter Russian influence and aggression.
Georgian Foreign Ministry also thanked President Trump and his government for supporting Georgia.
Thankful to the #US Gov and @realDonaldTrump for unwavering support for #Georgia. In the frame of 2018 budget, The US is increasing financial support for Georgia and bans financing of countries recognizing independence of Geo's occupied regions.
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) March 23, 2018
The bill encourages the six Eastern Partnership states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to advance the implementation of their respective association and trade agreements with the European Union and to reduce their vulnerability to external economic and political pressure from the Russian Federation.
Georgia is among key European countries that will receive United States funding to counter Russian influence and aggression. According to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, not less than $105,325,000 shall be made available for assistance for Georgia and not less than $420,700,000 for Ukraine.
The Committee on Foreign Relations of the United States Senate has approved a bill featuring measures to counter Russian influence in Europe and Eurasia, including in Georgia.
Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze said the United States President Donald Trump’s signing a legislative act banning the US government from financially helping countries that recognise the independence of Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions is unprecedented example of support for Georgia.
The United States House of Representatives has passed a legislative act banning the US government from financially helping countries that recognise the independence of Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions.
Congressmen expressed readiness to further support Georgia in any directions including trade and security, PM’s office said today.
Pompeo’s speech started with a declaration of support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Pompeo sounded a clear and strong message to Russia to withdraw its forces from Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
President of the United States Donald J. Trump has sent a congratulation letter to the President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili sending best wishes to her and Georgia.
The US 2019 state budget bill provides increased support for Georgia, with more than $127 million in aid. This is $22 million more than last year, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reports. The draft budget reads that $275 million will be allocated in total for countries in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.