US President signs bill increasing assistance for Georgia

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.