“We applaud your recent actions to veto that anti-democratic measure and your commitment to protect civil society as it comes under threat in Georgia,” remarks the letter by the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, to the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili.
The letter also mentions that the US appreciates Salome Zourabichvili’s efforts to protect civil society in Georgia.
“President Biden and I have been following events in Georgia with great concern. We worry about developments, such as the Georgian parliament’s recent passage of the foreign agents bill, that could threaten Georgia’s democracy and undermine Georgia’s relationship with the United States and Europe. We applaud your recent actions to veto that anti-democratic measure and your commitment to protect civil society as it comes under threat in Georgia.
The United States has supported Georgia’s democracy and Euro-Atlantic aspirations for more than three decades. Since Russia’s invasion in 2008, the United States has been steadfast in our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our partnership is grounded in shared
values, common interests, and mutual respect. We fought shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan, and the United States is the largest supplier of foreign assistance to Georgia to help build critical infrastructure, strengthen democratic institutions, and modernize your military forces.
The Georgian people have been clear that they want a future in the European Union and NATO. They recognize that the foreign agents bill puts that future at risk, which is why they have strongly opposed it. They have every right to pursue that future, and force must not be used to
prevent peaceful assembly and the exercise of the right to freedom of expression.
We appreciate your leadership and efforts to protect civil society in Georgia. These efforts will continue to be essential as the Georgian people look to you to defend democracy and champion Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future. The United States stands with you and all Georgians in pursuit of a better future,” the letter reads.
