UPDATE: Georgian Parliamentary Delegation Visits US Amid Foreign Agents Bill Controversy

Within the framework of its visit to the United States, Georgian Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee Delegation headed by the Committee Chair Nikoloz Samkharadze has met with Damon Wilson, President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, and Kenneth Wollack, the Chairman of the same fund.

The delegation’s visit to the U.S. comes during the heightened controversy over the Foreign Agents bill, which the ruling Georgian Dream has endorsed in the second Legal Issues Committee hearing despite massive domestic and international outcry.

“At the meeting, the parties discussed security challenges in the Caucasus region, Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories, U.S.-Georgian relations, the 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia and the pre-election environment, and the draft law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence,” the Georgian Parliament reported on April 30.

According to the Parliament, the discussion also touched on Georgia’s EU integration process and the importance of the starting of the accession talks.

The delegation of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia includes Chairman Nikoloz Samkharadze of Georgian Dream, Deputy Chairman Davit Zilpimiani of political group “European Socialists,” and Committee member Ramaz Nikolaishvili of the United National Movement.

Meeting with State Department Officials

The Georgian delegation met with James O’Brien, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. and Josh Huck, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State overseeing policy for Southern Europe and the Caucasus, the Georgian Parliament reported on May 1.

“The parties discussed Georgia-US relations, the planned parliamentary elections in Georgia and the pre-election environment, current processes in the country’s internal politics, the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence and the importance of Georgia joining NATO and the European Union,” the Georgian legislative said, adding that “the conversation also touched on the NATO Washington summit scheduled for July and related issues.”

“Important conversation with Georgian MPs about our bilateral relationship, including our strong concerns over the draft Kremlin-inspired “foreign influence” law and its negative impact on Georgia’s European aspirations,” Assistant Secretary O’Brien tweeted following the meeting.

Meetings with Senators

During the visit, the Georgian delegation met with the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe, Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Pete Ricketts, the Georgian Parliament reported on May 3.

“The meeting was dedicated to the consideration of the political developments in Georgia, upcoming Parliamentary Elections, the pre-electoral milieu, the requirements of the Draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, and the NATO integration prospects,” the Georgian legislative said, adding that Special emphasis was placed on the high value of the US support to Georgia and the participation of the USA in the Black Sea security process, as well as the key role of Georgia in facilitating stability and security in the region. The discourse included the threats deriving from Russia and the grave situation on the occupied territories.”

“During my meeting with Georgian parliamentarians, I conveyed that as a longtime supporter of Georgia, I am disappointed by the rapid political shift taking place in the country, which is at odds with the wishes of the Georgian people,” Senator Shaheen is quoted as saying by her office.

Meetings with Congressmen

Within the framework of the visit, the Georgian delegation met with the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Thomas Kean, Keith Self, William Keating and Jim Costa, the Georgian Parliament reported on May 1.

“The parties discussed the Georgia-USA strategic partnership prospects, the occupation of the Georgian territories by Russia, the importance of the NATO integration and the Georgia-EU relations progress,” the Parliament said, adding that “Special emphasis was placed on the security challenges in the South Caucasus region and the role of Georgia in facilitation of peace and stability in the area. The parties underlined the necessity of the US engagement in the Black Sea region and agreed on further cooperation.”

On May 2, members of the Georgian delegation met with the co-chairmen of the Friendship Group with Georgia of the US House of Representatives, congressmen Gerry Connolly and Austin Scott.

“During the meeting, the parties discussed various aspects of the US-Georgia strategic partnership, explored opportunities to enhance bilateral relations, and emphasized the importance of Georgia’s accession to NATO. They also addressed issues concerning the upcoming July NATO Washington summit, ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories, Georgia’s pre-election environment, the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, and Georgia’s integration into the European Union,” the Parliament of Georgia said.

“It was a pleasure to meet with a delegation from the Republic of Georgia’s Foreign Relations Committee to discuss the importance of democratic values to our bilateral relations and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” representative Garry Connolly tweeted following the meeting.

Meeting with DOD Official

The Georgian delegation also met with Laura Cooper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia. “The dynamics of the existing cooperation and the key role of the USA in strengthening Georgia’s defense capabilities and bringing them closer to NATO standards were emphasized,” according to the Parliament of Georgia report on May 4.

According to the same information, the discussions topics included security challenges in the South Caucasus region, the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia and its threats, the NATO Washington Summit and the prospects of strengthening of the US involvement in the Black Sea security.

“The conversation also touched upon the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and the importance of Georgia’s role in European security. In her remarks, Laura Cooper expressed her gratitude for the adoption of the new Defense Code by the Georgian Parliament and noted with satisfaction the dynamics of Georgian-American defense relations, which are at the highest level,” the Georgian Parliament said.

The article was updated on 01/05/2024 at 12:22 to reflect the meeting with State Department officials, and on 07/05/2024 at 16:20 to reflect meetings with the Senators, Congressmen, and the DoD official.

Also Read:

• 29/04/2024 – Politicians’ Reactions to U.S. Senators’ Letter on Foreign Agents Bill
• 27/04/2024 – U.S. Senators’ Letter to PM Kobakhidze Warning of Possible U.S. Policy Shift over Agents’ Law

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