Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, and Congressman Mike Turner, a Republican, released a statement upon their return to the US, expressing that during their meetings in Tbilisi, they reiterated their concern about the decline in democracy, “following the passage of the foreign agents law and anti-Western rhetoric.”
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“In the face of increasingly aggressive actions from authoritarian nations like Russia, who invaded Georgia 16 years ago, it was important that we reaffirm the United States’ enduring support for the right of the Georgian people to have a country that can determine its own future.
During our meetings with government officials and civil society organizations, we recommitted to supporting the Georgian people’s aspirations for European integration – but we also made clear that we won’t sit back amid democratic backsliding and false statements targeted toward the United States.
We must see free and fair elections and good-faith efforts to work to repeal the foreign agents law that is doing the nation more harm than good in advancing its agenda for EU membership.
The first step to get back on track must come from the Georgian government, and we wait to hear its proposal.” said Senator Shaheen.
Congressman Mike Turner noted that historically, the US-Georgia relationship has been one of the strongest in the region, “yet recent developments against democratic values have caused significant concern in the United States and European Union.”
“Senator Shaheen and I made clear that these concerns are bipartisan and bicameral. Furthermore U.S. policy will not change regardless of the change in the U.S. Administration. It is imperative that the parliamentary elections in October be free, fair and transparent to the Georgian people and international observers.” said Turner.
During their visit to Georgia, Senator Jean Shahin and Congressman Mike Turner will meet with President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, and Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani. However, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, declined to meet with them.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that during the meeting, he candidly expressed to the senator, congressman, and the US ambassador to Georgia what the Georgian government expects from its American partners. "Georgia is a small country, while the United States is a very large nation with global influence. Georgia cannot change much in these relations; everything is in the hands of our American partners. We are waiting for the next steps," said Kobakhidze.
