US’ OSCE ambassador hails partnership with Georgia

Michael Carpenter, the ambassador of the United States to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, on Monday called ties between the US and Georgia a partnership “between democracies that share common values”.

In his remarks, Carpenter stressed the “vast majority” of Georgian citizens supported the country’s integration into the European Union and NATO and it was “up to the Georgian people” to determine which political party “best represents” their interests in the process.

This aspiration is made public by various Georgian leaders and various political parties. This is also an unwavering aspiration of the Georgian government. It is up to the citizens of Georgia to determine whether the party in power pursues this aspiration with all the energy and dedication that the people want”, Carpenter said.

“The United States of America works closely with the current government of Georgia, as it worked with the previous governments of Georgia”, he noted before adding Georgian authorities were using the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package to advance reforms in the direction of defence.

Regardless of which force is in power, the people of Georgia must determine whether they are progressing towards their goals”, he concluded.