US Helsinki Commission hails “strong” support for Ukraine by Georgian Government
The authors of the statement particularly noted Georgia’s efforts in the face of “Russian threats” and the continuing occupation of Georgian territories by the country, and welcomed recent statements by the President of Georgia and its Government in support of Ukraine. Photo:US Ambassy Tbilisi.
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Senator Ben Cardin, the Chairman of the United States Helsinki Commission, as well as Co-Chairman Congressman Steve Cohen, ranking members of the Commission Sen. Roger F. Wicker and Congressman Joe Wilson praised the “strong” support shown by the Georgian Government to Ukraine on Tuesday.
The assessment is part of a joint statement issued by the American officials on efforts of US allies and partners responding to Russia's war against Ukraine. In the text, the Senators and Congressmen thank Georgia for its co-sponsoring of the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the aggression against Ukraine, as well as for the country’s participation in the International Criminal Court's investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine on the backdrop of the Russian invasion.
.@HelsinkiComm leaders @SenatorCardin, @RepCohen, @SenatorWicker, and @RepJoeWilson recognize key contributions from allies and partners; welcome efforts supporting #Ukraine from @OSCE participating States #Turkey, #Moldova, and #Georgia: https://t.co/0tuyGvnCVc pic.twitter.com/OIK2doOodu
— Helsinki Commission (@HelsinkiComm) March 8, 2022
Georgia voted on a United Nations General Assembly resolution to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, on March 3, joining 140 other countries in the vote. The resolution demands that the Russian Federation “immediately, completely and unconditionally” withdraw all of its military from the territory of Ukraine “within its internationally recognized borders.”
The authors of the statement particularly noted Georgia’s efforts in the face of “Russian threats” and the continuing occupation of Georgian territories by the country, and welcomed recent statements by the President of Georgia and its Government in support of Ukraine.
The US officials also congratulated Georgia on its formal application for European Union membership, and expressed readiness “to reinvigorate bilateral partnership and deepening transatlantic bond” between Georgia and the United States. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili signed the country’s bid for European Union membership on March 3, saying “applying for EU membership marked the next important stage on Georgia's European integration path.”
The statement of the US Helsinki Commission also references the efforts made by the Baltic Sea states, as well as Poland, Romania, Turkey and Moldova, in response to the Russian aggression.
The United States Senate Committee on Appropriations on Thursday unveiled the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the main bill of the US budget for Fiscal Year 2022, with the Georgian Foreign Ministry saying the bill contains the "most important wording" in support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
A US-Georgia free trade agreement (FTA) would have a net positive effect for both countries, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani told Brock Bierman, an opinion contributor for the American newspaper The Hill.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili welcomed the EU Council’s decision to ask the European Commission to examine applications for Union membership submitted by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine on Twitter, stating “This new chapter in our relations motivates us to accelerate our reform agenda”.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has signed the application for European Union membership on behalf of the country, noting the “historic day” in his address to citizens.