Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Congressman Mike Turner Visit Georgia

On August 9, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH 10th District) began their visit to Georgia. They have already met with the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili; Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze; Defense Minister, Irakli Chikovani; and CSOs’ representatives. During their bipartisan visit, they also held a informal meeting with representatives of the Georgian political parties.

They have also visited the occupation line near the occupied Tskhinvali region and the participants of the U.S. government programs that assist internally displaced persons, entrepreneurs, and students.

According to the press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, the visit demonstrates that the United States remains fully engaged and committed to supporting the people of Georgia and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Meeting with the Georgian President

Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner held their first meeting during their visit with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili. During the meeting, the parties discussed U.S.-Georgia bilateral relations, Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, upcoming elections, Russian occupation and hybrid warfare, and Black Sea security.

According to the press release of the Presidential Administration, during the meeting the American Senator and Congressman reaffirmed the “steadfast support” of the United States for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. They also emphasized that the purpose of their visit was to show that they “attach great importance to and support the democratic future and development of Georgia.”

They also stressed that Georgia and the Georgian people have always had and will continue to have the bipartisan support of the United States, “which means the support of the country as a whole.” The press release also notes that the U.S. representatives emphasized their appreciation of the President’s personal efforts on the path of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

“Senator Shaheen and Congressman Turner strongly criticized the steps taken by the ruling power, such as the “Russian Law”, which harms Georgian democracy, Georgia’s European path and bilateral relations. The parties emphasized the harmful anti-Western rhetoric,” – underlines the press release, adding that the conversation between the parties also centered on the October elections, with the Georgian President noting that this election carries a referendum-like character for people choosing their European and democratic future.

President Zurabishvili shared with the U.S. representatives the importance of voter mobilization in Georgia and introduced the initiative of the Georgian Charter as an action plan for short-term implementation of European recommendations and as an important tool for opening accession negotiations with the European Union. The President also noted that it is very important for the Georgian people to feel the support of the United States. The parties discussed the importance of the MEGOBARI Act also for deepening and strengthening bilateral relations.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the situation in the occupied territories and the issue of the Ochamchire port. The U.S. representatives stated that they plan to visit the occupation line.

Meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister

On August 10, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. According to the Administration’s press release, during the meeting the parties discussed the U.S.-Georgian strategic partnership and current issues facing bilateral relations.

The press release notes that Prime Minister Kobakhidze emphasized to the U.S. representatives “the need to reset and heal the relations” between the countries and expressed Georgia’s readiness to do so. The Prime Minister stressed that “Georgia remains a reliable and trustworthy ally of the United States of America and hopes that the development of bilateral relations will return to a positive dynamic”.

Meeting with the Defense Minister

Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner met with the Georgian Defense Minister, Irakli Chikovani. According to the Defense Ministry’s press release, “during the meeting the parties discussed regional security issues and existing challenges. Current issues of defense cooperation between Georgia and the United States were also discussed. The significant contribution of the Georgian Armed Forces to ensuring global security was noted.”

However, the U.S. Embassy’s press release notes that the discussion between the parties was not limited to the above points. It notes: “[The U.S. representatives] expressed concern about the Georgian government’s false narratives that led to the postponement of Exercise Noble Partner. They discussed Georgia’s unique security situation and Russia’s continuing occupation, along with the strong bonds and cooperation that continues between American and Georgian forces. They also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to strengthening Georgia’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Meeting with Political Party Representatives

On the evening of August 10, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner held an informal event with representatives of the ruling and opposition parties at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence. According to the politicians’ comments shared with journalists after the event, the conversation at the residence centered on the importance of ensuring that the October elections are as free, fair, and democratic as possible. The event was attended by some GD members as well, such as the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Nino Tsilosani and Chair of the European Integration committee Maka Botchorishvili. Among those invited were former politicians such as former Prime Minister Nika Gilauri (under Saakashvili government), former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tamar Chugoshvili, and former Minister of Defense and formerly leader of the Free Democratic Party Irakli Alasania.

According to Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, during the meeting the US representatives emphasized their “full support” to the Georgian people. Another leader of the Coalition, Zurab Japaridze, noted that the discussion touched on the elections, how they will be held, and what kind of help the U.S. is offering, for example, in terms of election monitoring.

Badri Japaridze of the Coalition for a Strong Georgia told journalists that the Senator and Congressman emphasized that the U.S. supports Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic and democratic aspirations and that the U.S. will “very carefully” observe and monitor the pre-election period and election day.

Maka Botchorishvili, a member of the Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, told journalists that the she was glad to have the opportunity to hold a dialogue with the U.S. representatives and that there was no discussion about the Foreign Agents Law, which is highly criticized by the U.S. side.

Meeting with the CSOs’ Representatives

Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner also held a meeting with representatives of civil society organizations. After the meeting, the CSO representatives told journalists that the discussions during the meeting focused on the pre-election period, what to expect on the election day, and how the “Russian Law” is influencing civil society in Georgia.

“The conversation focused on the pre-election period. What is happening in the pre-election period, what are our expectations for the election day, what are our planned observation missions and how will the Russian law affect the civil sector of Georgia… They are here because they support the Georgian people and they will not leave the Georgian people in this fight under any circumstances, so that Georgia becomes a member of the European Union, a member of NATO and a democratic country,” – said Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International – Georgia.

“This is bipartisan support, and this was emphasized at the meeting. Because both U.S. parties support democracy in Georgia, the European development of Georgia, and the will of the Georgian people to be a European, democratic state… We discussed the upcoming elections. They have a great interest in these elections being free, fair and democratic. One of the issues was also the Russian law and its entry into force and influence on the electoral processes,” – said Nino Dolidze, Executive Director of the International Society for Fair Elections And Democracy (ISFED).

According to Nona Kurdovanidze, Chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the discussion also touched on the challenges facing the non-governmental sector and society after the adoption of the “Russian law.”

In addition, the U.S. Embassy’s press release notes: “Civil society plays a crucial role in Georgia’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic path, including through these organizations’ work to ensure free and fair elections. During their meeting, Senator Shaheen and Congressman Turner emphasized the U.S. commitment to supporting a free and fair electoral process in Georgia so that all Georgians know that their vote will be counted and that their vote matters.”

Visit to the Occupation Line

As part of the visit, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner also visited the occupation line near the occupied Tskhinvali region. They reiterated that “the United States continues to call on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement and UN Charter.”

The U.S. representatives also met with the Georgian students and young leaders at the U.S.-supported Gori Youth Center. The U.S. Embassy press release stresses: “While the U.S. has paused some of our assistance that benefits the Government of Georgia, we continue our full support to the people of Georgia and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”

Finally, the Senator and Congressman also toured the Jolie fruits and vegetable processing factory near the occupation line in Shida Kartli and met with local entrepreneurs who have benefited from U.S. programs. “The U.S. government is proud to have contributed to their success, supporting prosperity for all Georgians,” – notes the Embassy’s press release.

Also Read:

• 01/08/2024 – Risch, Shaheen Welcome State Department Pausing U.S. Bilateral Assistance to Georgia
• 04/04/2024 – Risch, Shaheen Statement on Reintroduction of Foreign Agents’ Law

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