US national security strategy vows support for “European aspirations” of Georgia
Published on Wednesday, the document notes that in line with the US’ support for Ukraine, “we will also work to enhance the stability and resilience of other democracies”. Photo: Reuters
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The 2022 national security strategy of the United States outlines the country will support “European aspirations” of Georgia and Moldova and their commitment to “important institutional reforms”.
Published on Wednesday, the document notes that in line with the US’ support for Ukraine, “we will also work to enhance the stability and resilience of other democracies”.
We will support the European aspirations of Georgia and Moldova and their commitment to important institutional reforms. We will assist partners in strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, and economic development in the Western Balkans”, the strategy says.
The document also notes the US will “back diplomatic efforts” to resolve conflict in the South Caucasus, in reference to tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and the secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday said the government was “ready to implement all reforms” and take “appropriate steps” for the country to become a “full-fledged” member state of Europe.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, on Thursday said the European Union wanted Georgia to “advance and succeed” on its EU path, as the country is working to meet the bloc’s 12-point conditions for receiving the membership candidate status.
The Georgian prime minister’s co-chairing of a discussion on peace and security in Europe at the inaugural summit of the European Political Community is a “very important signal” that the country is an “integral part of the European family”, foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili said on Thursday.
The United States “strongly supports” the desire of Georgia and Moldova to join the European Union, Karen Donfried, the United States assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, said on Tuesday.
Ulrik Tideström, the ambassador of Sweden to Georgia, on Tuesday said the European Union had opened its door to Georgia and “clearly recognised” the country’s European perspective.
Georgian finance minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Tuesday said the United States was Georgia’s “strategic partner”, adding the quality of cooperation between the sides and its further development was “very important”.
Prospects of Georgia's European integration and ongoing work in the process were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili and Tamar Taliashvili, the newly appointed representative of the country to the Council of Europe.
Karen Donfried, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, on Thursday said her Government continued to stand with Georgia and would protect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders.
The United States Appropriations Act for 2023 has earmarked at least $132,025,000 in assistance for Georgia, the figures released on Tuesday show.
The European Union has recognised Georgia's European perspective, and it is up to candidate countries to reform their economies and their institutions and “advance towards our Union”, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Wednesday.