US House of Representatives approves Georgia Support Act
The legislation underscores the US’ support for Georgia's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and European and Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as the right of Georgian citizens to support foreign and security policies of their state without interference or coercion from other countries. Photo: Reuters
Tweet 
Share
The United States House of Representatives has approved the Georgia Support Act, establishing a “strategic partnership” between the two countries “at the legislative level”, the Georgian foreign office said on Thursday.
The legislation underscores the US’ support for Georgia's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and European and Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as the right of Georgian citizens to support foreign and security policies of their state without interference or coercion from other countries.
The bipartisan bill condemns human rights violations, illegal detentions and abductions in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions, including the killings of Georgian citizens Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria and Davit Basharuli, and comes out with an initiative to impose sanctions on human rights violators.
The bill also calls on the Russian Federation to fully comply with the European Union-brokered ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008 that ended the five-day war between the countries, and calls for the establishment of international security mechanisms in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, and a safe and dignified return of the internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes.
The Act focuses on US-Georgia defence and security cooperation and on strengthening Georgia's defence capabilities. The legislative piece instructs the Secretary of State to present a five-year strategy for future cooperation with Georgia. It also calls on the US administration to take effective steps to strengthen Georgia's capabilities in combating Russian disinformation and propaganda.
In the next procedural phase the bill will be sent to the US Senate, and ultimately to the President, before entering into force if approved.
The United States Department of State has $88 million in support for Georgia included in the draft budget for 2023, published on Monday.
The Georgia-US relationship today is “as strong as ever", and our friendship is based on “shared values”, said Irakli Garibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia, on the celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between two countries.
The United States will allocate $35 million to Georgia for the country to strengthen its defence capabilities against threats from Russia, Voice of America's Georgian service reported on Wednesday.
The United States supports Georgia’s NATO aspirations and the country is already an important partner of the alliance, Ned Price, the Spokesperson for the Department of State, said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
Georgia’s European Union membership enjoys a 74 percent support in the country, with 60 percent backing the country joining NATO, shows a new survey by the International Republican Institute, published on Wednesday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili said on Thursday the approval of Georgia Support Act by the United States House of Representatives showed the “importance” of Georgia as a “reliable strategic partner” for the US.
Ambassador Designate of Georgia to the United States David Zalkaliani on Thursday said the approval of Georgia Support Act by the United States House of Representatives reinforced “strategic partnership” between the two countries.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Wednesday said Western partners “must ensure” countries like Moldova and Georgia have the “resilience and the capabilities” in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed her gratitude to Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, for approving the Georgia Support Act on Thursday.
Zourabichvili noted the Act reaffirmed the US’ support for Georgia, highlighting the importance of strategic partnership between two countries.
The United States Congress “proudly stands” with the people of Georgia, and the country remains “unwavering” in its support of Georgia’s sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday following a meeting with the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili.
Georgia’s resistance to “Russian tyranny” should be an inspiration, United States Senator Roger Wicker said on Friday following a meeting with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili.
Derek Chollet, the Counselor of the United States Department of State, Wednesday said the US was doing “everything we can” to support Georgia, pointing out Washington was also working closely with the Georgian Government to find ways to support Ukraine in overcoming “enormous challenges.”
The security situation in the Black Sea region, Russia's aggression in Ukraine, and the “difficult situation” in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Georgian Ambassador to the United States David Zalkaliani and US Senator Lindsey Graham.
The United States remains “steadfastly committed” to its strategic partnership with Georgia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said in a letter addressed to his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili.
The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday Congratulated the people of Georgia on Independence Day and vowed support for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan, who is attending an annual gathering of US ambassadors in Washington, on Friday vowed her country would support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path.