TBILISI, Georgia, Oct. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. House
of Representatives passed with strong bipartisan support the
Georgia Support Act, legislation that significantly strengthens
defense, economic, and cyber security ties between Georgia and the
United States.
"We thank the members of the U.S. House of
Representatives for passing this landmark piece of
legislation," said Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. "The U.S. is our closest
strategic ally. Our partnership is based on our shared common
values of freedom and democracy and our steadfast mutual support.
This represents the first standalone legislation related to
Georgia dedicated to taking our
partnership to the next level."
The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by 31 members of the House of
Representatives, recognizes that the occupation of the
Tskhinvali Region (South Ossetia)
and Abkahzia is illegal and imposes sanctions upon those carrying
out the associated human rights abuses. Anybody determined to
have carried out such abuses will have their assets frozen and will
be barred from entering the United States.
The bill further urges the United States Trade Representative to
move forward with a bilateral trade agreement between the two
countries. A trade deal would have significant economic
benefits for Georgia and
the United States – opening
markets and making commerce between the two easier and more
robust.
"This legislation will also bolster the already strong
commercial ties between Georgia
and the U.S.," Gakharia continued. "It represents one more step
forward for Georgia, where
increased economic and security ties with the U.S. will help create
more jobs, build a strong middle class, and maintain sustainable
security in the country."
Recognizing the continued threat posed by Russian occupation,
the bill also directs the U.S. government to study and
report on the threats to Georgia's
sovereignty and ability to defend itself. The report will help
outline what assistance the U.S. can offer in the future to
increase Georgia's security,
resilience and deterrence capabilities.
"We hope that the U.S. Senate will now pass this bill," Gakharia
said. "The people of Georgia are
grateful to the U.S. for its unwavering support."
Contact: Embassy of Georgia to
the United States,
202-387-2390
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SOURCE Embassy of Georgia to
the United States