The FINANCIAL — The U.S. House of Representatives added new provisions about Georgia to Defense Bill. According to the new section, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains— an analysis of whether or not the Government of Georgia is taking effective steps to strengthen democratic institutions in Georgia. Also, report should include analysis of whether or not the Government of Georgia is effectively implementing electoral reform.
The U.S. House of Representatives added a section 1299c titled “Report on Support for Democratic Reforms by the Government of the Republic of Georgia” to the recently passed Defense Bill, that among others, requires the State Secretary to report the Congress on whether the Georgian Government is taking effective steps to strengthen its democracy. According to the newly-added provision, the report submitted to Congress not later than 180 days after the enactment of the Act, should contain an analysis of whether or not “the Government of Georgia is taking effective steps to strengthen democratic institutions in Georgia, civil.ge reported.
In newly added section is written that USA should support the Government of the Republic of Georgia’s continued development of democratic values, path to electoral reform, commitment to combating corruption, and efforts to ensure the Georgian private sector upholds internationally recognized standards, including welcoming and protecting foreign direct investment;
In addition, the United Stated should continue to work closely with the Government of Georgia on defense and security cooperation to include increasing Georgia’s defense capabilities, interoperability with partner nations, adherence to the rules of war, and strengthening of defense institutions.
Provision also reads that, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains— an analysis of whether or not the Government of Georgia is taking effective steps to strengthen democratic institutions in Georgia; and an analysis of whether or not the Government of Georgia is:
- effectively implementing electoral reform;
- respecting the independence of the judiciary, including independence from legislative or executive interference;
- effectively implementing the necessary policies to ensure accountability and transparency, including unfettered access to public information;
- protecting the rights of civil society, opposition political parties, and the independence of the media; and
- any other matters the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
It should me mentioned that, The House Appropriations Committee on July 9 approved the fiscal year 2021 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill on a vote of 29 to 21. The legislation funds the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and other international programs and activities. The legislation provides security assistance to key allies and partners. The bill fully funds the $3.3 billion commitment to Israel’s security, and it maintains strong support for Foreign Military Financing programs in Ukraine, Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia. Read more.
Recently, U.S. Department of State released a statement on the 80th Anniversary of the Welles Declaration, where is written that it will never accept Russia’s attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and Georgia. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia replied this statement on Twitter, saying that he is grateful for unequivocal U.S. support towards Georgia.
US donated All –Terrain Vehicles to Border Police of Georgia
