US Congressmen visit Georgian village at the occupation line
The delegation of US congressmen visited Georgia today and their visit will last till September 9. Photo: State Security Service Of Georgia.
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Five US Congressmen – Bryan George Steil, Carol Devine Miller, Alex Mooney, Ronald Jean Estes and Kelly Michael Armstrong – have visited the Georgian village of Odzisi, near the administrative boundary separating the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the rest of Georgia.
It is important to come and see first hand the Russian occupation of Georgia and it is really an important step in building this relationship between the US and the country of Georgia...It is one thing to read about it, it is another thing to come here and see what the occupation zone looks like,” US Congressman Bryan Steil said.
Alex Mooney underlined that the US cares for and supports Georgia.
It is very important for the world to see the occupation that is happening here and to let Russian know that we are paying attention and we are greatly concerned about the aggression here,” Mooney stated.
Congresswoman Carol Miller underscored that the US supports Georgia’s sovereignty.
The US strongly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and their right to be in their country and we are very proud to be friends with Georgia and their government and their democracy,” Congresswoman Carol Miller said.
Deputy head of the Georgian State Security Service (SSS) Aleksi Batiashvili spoke to the congressmen about the ‘difficult situation on the spot as a result of the occupation.’
- Get an idea about the village on the occupation line from Agenda.ge's multimedia story: EU's eyes and ears on Russia's creeping occupation of Georgia
US congressmen stressed the importance of being at the occupation borderline in person and getting information about the occupation on the spot.
You can read about it but until you are here and see it in person understanding the size and how important it is to the country of Georgia about the encroachment from Russia and being able to protect Georgia’s sovereignty,” stated Kelly Armstrong.
Ronald Estes emphasised the importance of ‘being able to see the line where Russia occupied Georgia’s territory.’
The relationship we have between the US and Georgia is important. It is important to see what is going on in the country that we have friendship with,” Estes noted.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia stated that the visit of US congressmen ‘is a significant message both for the Russian occupation forces, as well as for the international community.’
The delegation of US congressmen visited Georgia today and their visit will last till September 9.
The US congressmen will meet with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, Minister of Economy Natia Turnava and Georgian MPs.
Five US Congressmen, Alex Mooney, Kelly Michael Armstrong, Bryan George Steil, Carol Devine Miller and Ronald Jean Estes arrived in Georgia earlier today. While in Georgia between September 6-9 the US legislators will meet with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, Minister of Economy Natia Turnava and Georgian MPs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has appealed for "essential effort" from the international community in the process of ending the ongoing occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions of Georgia, in a release on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the occupation.
US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman, who arrived in Georgia late yesterday, visited the occupation line near the village of Zemo Nikozi earlier today which separates the country’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region from the rest of Georgia. The European Union Monitoring Mission accompanied the senators at the scene and briefed them about the situation on the ground.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has thanked US congressmen for their support of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations at a meeting earlier today, the Georgian government administration reports. Five US Congressmen – Bryan George Steil, Carol Devine Miller, Alex Mooney, Ronald Jean Estes and Kelly Michael Armstrong – have arrived in Georgia today and their visit will last till September 9. The US support for strengthening institutions in Georgia, increasing defence capabilities, and democratic reforms were on the agenda of the meeting.
Russian-controlled occupation forces have illegally arrested a Georgian citizen near the occupied Artsevi village in central Georgia, the Georgian state security service said on Thursday.
Russian occupation forces have illegally detained two Georgian citizens in central Georgia’s Gori municipality, in territory adjacent to the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, the Georgian State Security Service confirmed on Tuesday.