US State Department 2025 budget includes $80mln aid for Georgia

The United States Department of State has published the draft Congressional Budget Justification for the Department, Foreign Operations and Related Programmes throughout the financial year 2025, which includes $80 million in aid to Georgia.

The request for Georgia cites support for the country's economic and democratic development, enhancement of its resilience to “harmful influences” and promotion of its Euro-Atlantic integration.

The document reads the funding provided would assist in reinforcing institutional checks and balances, promoting the rule of law, supporting democratic and economic development initiatives by Georgian civil society, improving access to independent, credible, and unbiased media, encouraging political pluralism, and aiding reconciliation efforts, including in the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

Additionally, it will promote energy security and the adoption of clean energy, support the necessary reforms for economic expansion and diversification, drive digitisation, strengthen cybersecurity and resilience, enhance the competitiveness of the private sector and agricultural productivity, and help Georgia attract foreign investments”, the document reads.

The funding will also contribute to border security and anti-corruption initiatives to reinforce institutional capacity, public accountability, internal control and oversight and Government integrity.

The document has already been submitted to the US Congress.