Ambassador says US will continue to be “strongest supporter” of Georgia
Robin Dunnigan, the Ambassador of the US to Georgia, said her country had been “one of, if not the strongest supporter” of Georgia over the past 32 years and would continue to do so. Photo: Gov't Administration
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Robin Dunnigan, the Ambassador of the US to Georgia, on Wednesday said her country had been “one of, if not the strongest supporter” of Georgia over the past 32 years and would continue to do so.
In her remarks at the Georgian Parliament, Dunnigan emphasised the US support had contributed to helping Georgia defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, with funding helping build and equip most of Georgia's border crossings.
Our assistance helped establish, train and equip the Georgian Coast Guard to patrol your maritime border [while] 1,600 Georgians have been beneficiaries of US military education in the United States. We've provided Georgia with NATO interoperable weapons and trained together in multinational exercises, including here in Georgia”, she said.
The Ambassador further pointed out the “top priority” of her work as an American diplomat in Georgia was to “deepen the special friendship” and partnership between the two countries.
She highlighted her meeting last week with recently appointed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, calling it “very positive and productive”.
I reiterated to the Prime Minister my commitment to deepen our strategic partnership, and I outlined my top priorities as Ambassador, including supporting Georgia's Euro-Atlantic trajectory, increasing our bilateral trade and investment, including by supporting the Middle Corridor [logistics route], continuing to strengthen our military partnership, which is the cornerstone of our relationship, and also strengthening our cultural ties”, the diplomat told MPs.
The Ambassador also noted the US had provided more than $6 billion in assistance to Georgia, but added that number “does not begin to tell the story of our friendship and how our partnership has benefited both countries”.
She also cited US President Joe Biden in saying his Government was committed to working “in lockstep with our allies and partners, and with all of those who share our interests, we will not leave our future vulnerable to the whims of those who do not share our vision for a world that is free, open, prosperous, and secure”.
Dunnigan said the strategy also involved “working to deepen our alliances and our partnerships”, adding the tasks were among objectives she had been given at the start of her tenure in Georgia.