Georgian FM meets US senators in Washingron who sent letter of concern to Georgian PM

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has met with US Senator Jim Risch, a chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Jeanne Shaheen, a ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, in Washington earlier today stating that the senators ‘have very obviously seen the political will of the Georgian government to further strengthen democratic institutions in the country.’ 

The senators sent a letter to Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia last week expressing concern over ‘recent events that indicate a backsliding from Georgia’s commitment to build the institutions of their democracy.’ 

We support Georgia and respect the aspirations of the Georgian people to the EU and NATO, their attitude to the US and the Euro-Atlantic partnership. We are sure the US support to Georgia will continue,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry has cited the senators as saying. 

Zalkaliani said that it was a ‘very good meeting which one again confirmed the US-Georgia strategic partnership.’ 

It was a sincere talk between allies and strategic partners. I once again confirmed Georgia’s support to the US and they, for their part, expressed support for the strategic partnership,” Zalkaliani said. 

Georgian FM has met with Republican Congressman Devin Nunes. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office. 

Zalkaliani said that the senators and the US consider Georgia a ‘high-standard democracy in the region’ and the recent letters coming from the country were sent of high expectations. 

I had an opportunity to inform them in detail about all the issues they mentioned in their letter, including the election issues and the ongoing talks between the ruling party and the opposition, as well as about the recommendations we receive from our  partners regarding the election topic. I told them that Georgia remains committed to democratic values and its international obligations,” Zalkaliani said. 

Zalkaliani has also met with a Republican Congressman Devin Nunes who said that Georgia contributes much to international peace and security and the US ‘is interested in continuing close cooperation with the Georgian government.” 

Before leaving for Washington earlier this week Zalkaliani said that the meetings in the US will be an opportunity for “sincere communication with out strategic partner” on various issues, adding that “the meetings and the actions of the Georgian government will further strengthen the US-Georgia strategic partnership.” 

The opposition say that the ‘critical letters’ received from US senators over the past several weeks are because of the actions of the Georgian government and the process ‘significantly damage the US-Georgia relations.’ 

However, Georgian top officials stated that the US senators likely received biased information and promised ‘intense and sincere communication’ with them.