Analytics
The United States urges the Georgian government to implement the necessary reforms to acquire EU candidate status
In response to the questions of Europetime, the US State Department urges the Georgian government to implement the necessary reforms to acquire EU candidate status. „From the beginning, the American people have stood in solidarity with the people of Georgia and their desire to be a free and sovereign country within its internationally recognized borders. Over the last 30 years, we have become strategic partners, working together toward our shared vision of Georgia, fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic family of nations and part of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. The United States has allocated more than $6 billion in assistance funds to Georgia, training tens of thousands Georgian soldiers, and sending thousands more to the United States for cultural and education exchanges. We have helped promote economic growth, the rule of law, and democratic governance, among many other initiatives. We are open with the Georgian government about the need to strengthen democratic institutions and processes, the rule of law, and human rights for all. The democratic backsliding we have all observed over the last several years is taking Georgia away from its stated goal of Euro-Atlantic integration, but even more importantly, weakening its own democracy. Our assistance goes to improve the quality of life of Georgians. We listen to the people of Georgia to determine where our assistance goes. We work with the government but also work with the people to reach all corners of the country, to help and support the people in realizing their dreams. We will continue to partner with the people of Georgia as they pursue a democratic, prosperous, peaceful, and Euro-Atlantic future and we urge the Georgian government to implement the necessary reforms to acquire EU candidate status; we stand ready to assist the government in doing so“, the State Department said.
State Department: Our first priority must be to ensure Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression
According to a State Department spokesperson, there is no question that the biggest threat to the Black Sea region is Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine. According to the comment, Russia’s war has turned parts of the Black Sea into a warzone. Missiles fired by Russian warships in the Black Sea have hit Ukrainian towns. Russian forces blockaded Ukrainian ports, causing the worst global food crisis in years. „Our first priority must be to ensure Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression. At the same time, we continue to deepen our already multifaceted engagement in the region. The United States and NATO have expanded our presence in in the Black Sea region since February 24, 2022. NATO Allies Romania, Turkiye, and Bulgaria especially contribute to the security of the Black Sea area“, - a State Department spokesperson told Europetime.
EEAS Spokesperson: The recent poll only underlines what was obvious all along – the overwhelming majority of the Georgian population has clear European aspirations
Peter Stano, lead spokesperson for the foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union, said that the recent poll only underlines what was obvious all along – the overwhelming majority of the Georgian population has clear European aspirations. „Only yesterday the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States discussed in Luxembourg (together with Georgia’s Foreign Minister) the historic opportunity in terms of Georgia’s European perspective, but also the need to strengthen the principles of democracy in the country, and encouraged the Georgian authorities to continue the important work on reforms and send positive signals to Brussels and to Member States’ in delivering on the set of priorities on the accession process, which will be important for assessing the possibility to grant Georgia candidate status“, - Stano told Europetime. A new nationwide poll conducted in Georgia by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) shows strong support for EU membership, disapproval of Russian citizens within the country, and a lack of faith in political parties, IRI Georgia reports. According to IRI, when asked about the European Union (EU), 89% of Georgians either “fully support” or “somewhat support” joining the alliance. This represents an increase of four percentage points from the most recent poll, matching an all-time high. "It’s explicitly clear that Georgians want to join the European Union and continue their integration with Western, democratic institutions," said Steve Nix, Senior Director for Eurasia at IRI. "It’s now incumbent upon leaders in the government to deliver what the people want." "Georgians are also weary of the Russian presence in their country. 79% oppose visa-free travel for Russians, Russians registering businesses in Georgia, or Russians buying property in Georgia. This survey was conducted on behalf of IRI’s Center for Insights in Survey Research by Dr. Rasa Alisauskiene of the public and market research company Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization between March 4 and March 23, 2023. The fieldwork was conducted by the Institute of Polling and Marketing. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews in respondents’ homes. The sample consists of 1,500 Georgians aged 18+ and eligible to vote. The data was weighted for age, gender, region, and settlement size. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points and the response rate was 63 per cent. This survey was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)," reads the press release.
State Department: The United States stands with the government and people of Georgia in their efforts to advance transparency, fight corruption, and further democratic governance
According to a State Department spokesperson, the 7031c actions send a strong signal that the United States stands with the government and people of Georgia in their efforts to advance transparency, fight corruption, and further democratic governance. As a general matter, we do not comment on pending litigation. The 7031c actions send a strong signal that the United States stands with the government and people of Georgia in their efforts to advance transparency, fight corruption, and further democratic governance. We are committed to helping Georgia realize its full economic and democratic potential on its path to Euro Atlantic integration, by tackling endemic corruption and fostering an impartial and independent judiciary“, - a State Department spokesperson told Europetime. Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia, and Valerian Tsertsvadze under Section 7031(c) visa restriction authorities, due to their involvement in significant corruption. Section 7031(c) provides that officials of foreign governments about whom the Secretary of State has credible information of involvement in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. The law also requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has released a statement on public designations of Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and Valerian Tsertsvadze. According to the statement, the above individuals abused their positions. “Today, the U.S. Department of State is publicly designating Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia, and Valerian Tsertsvadze under Section 7031(c) visa restriction authorities, due to their involvement in significant corruption. These individuals abused their positions as court Chairmen and members of Georgia’s High Council of Justice, undermining the rule of law and the public’s faith in Georgia’s judicial system. The United States continues to stand with all Georgians in support of democracy and the rule of law and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain. We stand with all judges who have the integrity and courage to act impartially and independently. Officials designated under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023 (Div. K, P.L. 117-328) (“Section 7031(c)”) and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States”, reads the statement.
EEAS Spokesperson on US Sanctions against four Georgian Judges
Peter Stano, the spokesperson for the external affairs of the European Union, said on Thursday that the European Union has its own legislative framework for adopting sanctions that are always discussed and agreed upon by all 27 member states of the EU in consensus. „There is currently no EU sanctions regime in place for Georgia, and no sanctions decisions have been made related to the people mentioned below in the US sanctions" he told Europetime. „There is currently no EU sanctions regime in place for Georgia, and no sanctions decisions have been made related to the people mentioned below in the US sanctions. As a general rule, we do not comment on sanctions decisions by others, the EU has its own legislative framework for adopting sanctions that are always discussed and agreed upon by all 27 Member States of the EU in consensus“, - Peter Stano said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has released a statement on public designations of Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and Valerian Tsertsvadze. According to the statement, the above individuals abused their positions. “Today, the U.S. Department of State is publicly designating Mikheil Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia, and Valerian Tsertsvadze under Section 7031(c) visa restriction authorities, due to their involvement in significant corruption. These individuals abused their positions as court Chairmen and members of Georgia’s High Council of Justice, undermining the rule of law and the public’s faith in Georgia’s judicial system. The United States continues to stand with all Georgians in support of democracy and the rule of law and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain. We stand with all judges who have the integrity and courage to act impartially and independently. Officials designated under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023 (Div. K, P.L. 117-328) (“Section 7031(c)”) and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States”, reads the statement.
State Department: We would be concerned if flights between Russia and Georgia resumed
According to a State Department spokesperson, "The entire Western community has distanced itself from this brutal regime—now is not the time to increase engagement with Russia“. "Many Western nations, including the United States, prohibit Russian planes from entering their airspace. We would be concerned if flights between Russia and Georgia resumed, given the possible sanctions exposure for companies at Georgia’s airports if they were to service aircraft subject to additional import and export controls. "The entire Western community has distanced itself from this brutal regime—now is not the time to increase engagement with Russia," a State Department spokesperson told Europetime. According to the chairman of Georgian Dream Irakli Kobakhidze, if the unilateral sanction imposed by the Russian Federation regarding flights to Georgia is lifted, it will be welcome in the interests of fellow citizens and countrymen. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated that restoring direct flights between Georgia and the Russian Federation is unacceptable given the international community’s and all Georgia’s partners’ solidarity with Ukraine. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a news conference on the performance of Russian diplomacy in 2022, said he hoped that Russia and Georgia would soon be able to resume direct air service. Russia suspended direct flights to Georgia in 2019. On June 20, 2019, thousands of people protested against Russian lawmaker Gavrilov, who took the speaker’s seat in the Georgian parliament at the session of the 26th Orthodox Inter-Parliamentary General Assembly in Georgia.
State Department: The United States strongly supports the development of the Anaklia deep water port, which is critical infrastructure for Georgia to develop
The United States has long supported Georgia’s economic development and recognizes the opportunities for developing the needed infrastructure to support the Middle Corridor concept. According to a State Department official speaking to Europetime, the United States strongly supports the development of the Anaklia deep-water port, which is critical infrastructure for Georgia to develop. „It would be a huge contribution as Georgia develops its role in the Middle Corridor, to bring goods from Central Asia to Europe. Development of the port would also bring jobs to Georgia and the region. We hope to see the Government of Georgia move forward to tender the project. In addition, the Development Finance Corporation supported the expansion of the Pace Terminal at Poti Seaport through a $50 million loan. The terminal expansion, which opened in January 2022, more than doubled the cargo capacity for the terminal, an important step that moves Georgia closer to its goal of becoming an East-West trade hub“, - A State Department spokesperson said Ambassador Degnan: We strongly support the development of the Anaklia deep water port Exclusive interview on Europetime with the US Defense Attaché Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili revealed on 12 December that the long-awaited deep sea port of Anaklia will be built with the government’s participation, which will subsequently own 51% of it. The Prime Minister noted that an international competition will be announced to select the partners and companies which will participate in the project. „we strongly support the development of the Anaklia deep water port, which is critical infrastructure for Georgia to develop. It would be a huge contribution as Georgia develops its role in the Middle Corridor, to bring goods from Central Asia to Europe. Development of the port would also bring jobs to Georgia and the region. We hope to see the Government of Georgia move forward to tender the project and select a qualified developer through a transparent and competitive process“, - US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan told Europetime. In addition, NATO welcomes the development of infrastructure of strategic importance, such as the port facilities on the Black Sea coast. „We welcome all steps undertaken by the Georgian authorities to promote its economic development and security. According to a NATO official speaking to Europetime, this includes the development of infrastructure of strategic importance, such as the port facilities on the Black Sea coast. "The Anaklia Deep Sea Port is a great opportunity," said Philip Reeker, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, during a visit to Georgia in June 2021. Senator Rob Portman also stressed that it is extremely important that more countries invest in Georgia. „We should encourage more direct investment in Georgia. One would be infrastructure, specifically a particular port project, which is a huge opportunity for infrastructure investment. But also, there are so many other opportunities in agriculture and other commodities, including mining, including manufacturing,"-Senator Rob Portman said in an exclusive comment with Europetime. The construction of what should have been the country’s first deep sea port began in the village of Anaklia close to the de facto boundary with Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region in 2017. While the government previously was ready to invest $100 million, control was to be held by private investors.The Georgian government canceled the $2.5 billion contract with Anaklia Development Consortium, the main contractor, in early 2020, alleging it had failed to attract sufficient investments while placing heavy and unrealistic demands on the state to underwrite huge loans from international financial institutions.
State Department: We Will continue to work with allies and partners to identify and provide Ukraine with additional capabilities
We will continue to provide Ukraine with security assistance for as long as it takes and will continue to work with allies and partners to identify and provide Ukraine with additional capabilities, according to a State Department spokesperson. „We are not in a position to comment on internal deliberations regarding specific systems requested by Ukraine. As a general matter, we will continue to provide Ukraine with security assistance for as long as it takes and will continue to work with allies and partners to identify and provide Ukraine with additional capabilities. As Russia’s war against Ukraine has evolved, so too has U.S. military assistance, and we will continue to calibrate our assistance to align with Ukraine’s current and future battlefield needs, - a State Department spokesperson told Europetime. According to the Ukrainian Chargé d'Affaires in Georgia, Andrii Kasianov, Ukraine's request included the Javelin systems transferred by the United States of America to Georgia, and regarding the latter, there was not only consent from the United States but even a proposal to replace them with new complexes.
NATO: We welcome the development of infrastructure of strategic importance, such as the port facilities on the Black Sea coast
„We welcome all steps undertaken by the Georgian authorities to promote its economic development and security. According to a NATO official speaking to Europetime, this includes the development of infrastructure of strategic importance, such as the port facilities on the Black Sea coast. „NATO’s partnership with Georgia is on a solid track. The foreign ministers of Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova attended the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Bucharest at the end of November. These three countries are facing Russian pressure and NATO is committed to do even more to help strengthen their resilience and capabilities to defend themselves. For Georgia, we are committed to increasing our support by building on the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, including in the areas of situational awareness, secure communications, resilience and cyber, as well as by helping Georgia to develop its own cyber capabilities and by providing additional personnel to the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia“, a NATO official told Europetime. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili revealed on 12 December that the long-awaited deep sea port of Anaklia will be built with the government’s participation, which will subsequently own 51% of it. The Prime Minister noted that an international competition will be announced to select the partners and companies which will participate in the project.
NATO: We welcome all steps undertaken by the Georgian authorities to promote its economic development and security. Putin’s energy leverage is weakening
`We welcome all steps undertaken by the Georgian authorities to promote its economic development and security. This includes the development of infrastructure of strategic importance, such as the port facilities on the Black Sea coast“, - According to a NATO official speaking to Europetime, NATO’s partnership with Georgia is on a solid track. „I can add the following. NATO’s partnership with Georgia is on a solid track. The foreign ministers of Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova attended the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Bucharest at the end of November. These three countries are facing Russian pressure and NATO is committed to do even more to help strengthen their resilience and capabilities to defend themselves. For Georgia, we are committed to increasing our support by building on the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, including in the areas of situational awareness, secure communications, resilience and cyber, as well as by helping Georgia to develop its own cyber capabilities and by providing additional personnel to the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia. Furthermore, for too long, Europeans have been dependent on Russian oil and gas. Russia has weaponised energy and tried to use it to blackmail us, and prevent us from supporting Ukraine, but President Putin has not succeeded. Allies are taking extraordinary steps to decrease energy use and diversify energy supplies. Storage sites for gas in Europe are at capacity. Allies are securing liquefied natural gas contracts, prolonging nuclear reactors and restarting coal-fired plants. Russia now provides less than 10 percent of Europe’s gas, down from 45 percent before the war. This represent a buffer against further cut-offs of Russian supplies or other shocks. The G7 also agreed to cap the price for Russian oil, further limiting the revenues that fund the Kremlin's war, and Allies will continue to invest in stable and reliable energy supply, suppliers, and sources. So President Putin’s energy leverage is weakening“, - a NATO official told Europetime. The leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania signed an agreement in Bucharest on Saturday to build an underwater electric cable under the Black Sea. The project could become a new power source for the European Union as the bloc seeks to reduce its reliance on Russian energy. "Since the beginning of the Russian war, we have decided to abandon Russian fossil fuel and diversify our options towards reliable partners in the energy field, such as those present at this table. And it is working," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. The 1,100-kilometer cable from Azerbaijan to Romania will provide Azeri energy for the rest of the continent. It will also benefit Moldovans and Ukrainians, who have seen their energy security compromised by Russia's supply cuts and the bombing of critical infrastructure. The project could be completed within three to four years. As explained by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Asian country currently produces 27 gigawatts of wind and solar power and is developing projects that should increase this capacity by 4 gigawatts by the end of 2027. "It is a step towards creating a corridor for green energy," said the president of the natural gas-extracting country.
The US supports the Black Sea electricity project
The United States supports the December 17 Memorandum of Understanding signed between the leaders of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania, and Hungary for the development of a 1,100-kilometer subsea electricity cable to transport clean energy from the South Caucasus to the European Union via the Black Sea. a State Department spokesperson told Europetime. „As the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said during her address at the signing ceremony, the agreement will “bring the European Union closer to our partners in the South Caucasus region, and it will help both regions achieve the clean energy transition.” We also look forward to the results of the World Bank feasibility study that is now ongoing. On Georgia’s role in the project, we refer you to the Government of Georgia“, - a State Department spokesperson told Europetime. The leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania signed an agreement in Bucharest on Saturday to build an underwater electric cable under the Black Sea. The project could become a new power source for the European Union as the bloc seeks to reduce its reliance on Russian energy. "Since the beginning of the Russian war, we have decided to abandon Russian fossil fuel and diversify our options towards reliable partners in the energy field, such as those present at this table. And it is working," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. The 1,100-kilometer cable from Azerbaijan to Romania will provide Azeri energy for the rest of the continent. It will also benefit Moldovans and Ukrainians, who have seen their energy security compromised by Russia's supply cuts and the bombing of critical infrastructure. The project could be completed within three to four years. As explained by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Asian country currently produces 27 gigawatts of wind and solar power and is developing projects that should increase this capacity by 4 gigawatts by the end of 2027. "It is a step towards creating a corridor for green energy," said the president of the natural gas-extracting country.
The EU says it is now in the hands of Georgia to do what’s necessary in order to advance on its European path
Georgia is a European state committed to respecting and promoting the values on which the European Union is founded, an EU spokesperson told Europetime. „The Council, following the Commission’s Opinion’s, has given Georgia the perspective to become a member of the European Union. The Council, following the Commission’s opinion’s, has also recommended candidate status to Georgia once a certain number of priorities will have been addressed. It is now in the hands of Georgia to do what’s necessary to take the next step in the process, in order to advance on its European path. This is well within its reach. The to-do list is clear and the EU stands ready to advise and support Georgia (as always) in this process. To complete the Opinions, an analytical report will be published before the end of the year to give a more detailed analysis on the situation of the three countries regarding the acquis. From 2023, Commission’s yearly enlargement package will include the three countries, and will report on their progress regarding the priorities defined in the Opinion. The European Union stands by Georgia now, as it has done throughout the years since independence. We consistently invest in Georgia’s democracy and in Georgia’s economy as friends and partners“, - said an EU spokesperson. European Council grants candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, recognises Georgia’s “European perspective”. Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, said that the EU was ready to grant the same status to Georgia once the outstanding priorities outlined by the European Commission were addressed by the Georgian government.
State Department: Our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia
The State Department comments on the EU ambassadors' agreement. „Our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia. Russia’s sham referenda and annexation efforts in Ukraine are an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin international peace and wellbeing. The United States will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation of any territory it illegally seized from Ukraine. Any such territory remains part of Ukraine“, - a State Department spokesperson told Europetime. EU ambassadors today agreed a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on a decision on the non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued in Ukraine and Georgia. This decision is a response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s practice of issuing Russian international passports to residents of the occupied regions. It also follows Russia’s unilateral decision to recognise the independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008. Russian travel documents issued in, or to persons resident in, Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine or breakaway territories in Georgia will not be accepted as valid travel documents for obtaining a visa or crossing the borders of the Schengen area. „With its illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions Russia has once again shown its blatant disregard for the rules-based international order. We will never recognise the violation of Ukraine and Georgia’s fundamental rights to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU stands united and resolutely with both countries and their people. Vít Rakušan, Minister of the Interior of Czech Republic Russian travel documents issued in these regions are already not recognised, or in the process of not being recognised, by EU member states. This decision aims to set out a common approach, ensure the proper functioning of the external border and common visa policies and safeguard the security of EU member states. Next steps On the basis of this mandate, the presidency is ready to start discussions with the European Parliament. Background Since the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March 2014, Russia has issued Russian international passports to residents of Crimea. That practice was extended to the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk in April 2019, followed by the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia occupied regions in July 2022. The systematic issuance of Russian passports in those occupied regions constitutes a further infringement of international law and Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. The EU has repeatedly condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and expressed full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. EU member states have firmly rejected and unequivocally condemned the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukrainian regions and territories, as well as Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In reaction to the Russian annexation of Crimea and the most recent developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a series of individual and economic sanctions have been introduced. The EU has also fully suspended the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia.
State Department: Georgia remains a vital strategic partner in the region
The State Department comments on the Under Secretary's visit to Georgia. According to a State Department spokesperson speaking to ET, Georgia remains a vital strategic partner in the region. „The Under Secretary thanks the Georgian government and people for their collaboration to date. During her trip, she is meeting with Georgian leaders to reiterate the United States’ continued support of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Georgia remains a vital strategic partner in the region, and we look forward to continued collaboration, including in export control and border security. As the Under Secretary said in her remarks on Thursday (10/6), the United States remains steadfast in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders“, - a State Department spokesperson said. Undersecretary Jenkins visited Tbilisi on October 5-7 to attend the Biosafety Association for Central Asia and the Caucasus (BACAC) Regional Conference in Tbilisi. After addressing the conference, she told reporters that when she meets with members of the Georgian government, she will deliver „a message of strong support from Washington for the tremendous work Ambassador Degnan and her Embassy team have done to help advance Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations“.
NATO: Russia must reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and it must withdraw its forces from these regions of Georgia
Russia must reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and it must withdraw its forces from these regions of Georgia. According to a NATO official speaking to ET, NATO condemns the grave human rights violations taking place in these regions. NATO’s message is clear and consistent: we fully support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. Russia must reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and it must withdraw its forces from these regions of Georgia. We condemn the grave human rights violations taking place in these regions – as well as the construction of barbed wire fences along the administrative boundary line. We will also continue to support Georgia, as it improves its ability to defend itself“, - a NATO official says. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in occupied Abkhazia and met with its de facto leader Aslan Bzhania in Bichvinta on September 28. Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned the Ambassador of Belarus to Georgia following the visit. The ministry demanded that Belarus respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally-recognized borders and not take actions that contradict the fundamental principles of international law. The president of Georgia accused Lukashenko of violating bilateral relations and international law by visiting Abkhazia. Asked about Lukashenka’s visit to Abkhazia during a 28 September briefing, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price reiterated the U.S. steadfast support for Georgia and its territorial integrity. Russia recognised the `independence` of the two regions on August 26, 2008, following the five-day Russia-Georgia war. Belarus does not recognize the independence of occupied Abkhazia. The Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, stated that Lukashenko is not a legitimate President of Belarus.
William Courtney: Lukashenko is under increasing pressure from Moscow and may be more willing to do its bidding
William Courtney, adjunct senior fellow at RAND Corporation and former U.S. ambassador to Georgia and Kazakhstan, discusses Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's "visit" in occupied Abkhazia. Speaking to ET, William Courtney noted that Lukashenko is under increasing pressure from Moscow and may be more willing to do its bidding. „One cannot be sure of the reason, but the visit is likely not accidental. Lukashenko is under increasing pressure from Moscow and may be more willing to do its bidding. At present, Moscow seems frustrated that Abkhazia acts somewhat independently. So the Kremlin might think that if Abkhazia joins the Union States, it will have more ways to lean on Belarus to follow its guidance“, William Courtney said. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in occupied Abkhazia and met with its de facto leader Aslan Bzhania in Bichvinta on September 28. Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned the Ambassador of Belarus to Georgia following the visit. The ministry demanded that Belarus respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally-recognized borders and not take actions that contradict the fundamental principles of international law. The president of Georgia accused Lukashenko of violating bilateral relations and international law by visiting Abkhazia. Asked about Lukashenka’s visit to Abkhazia during a 28 September briefing, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price reiterated the U.S. steadfast support for Georgia and its territorial integrity. Russia recognised the `independence` of the two regions on August 26, 2008, following the five-day Russia-Georgia war. Belarus does not recognize the independence of occupied Abkhazia. The Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, stated that Lukashenko is not a legitimate President of Belarus.
State Department about the mass influx of Russian citizens: It is the Government of Georgia’s sovereign decision regarding who to admit
State Department comments on mass influx of Russian citizens through the Russo-Georgian Larsi border checkpoint. Regarding the large influx of Russian citizens, the State Department stated that the Georgian government had sole discretion over who to admit. According to a State Department spokesperson speaking to Europetime, „It is the Government of Georgia’s sovereign decision regarding who to admit, as they work to strike the delicate balance between security and openness“. A reminder that the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) also comments on the issue. He says that each country is going to be different in terms of how it responds to the desire by Russian citizens to escape their country and to seek refuge elsewhere, and each country has to decide based on what it feels is best to protect its national security. Of course Russia continues today to occupy 20 percent of sovereign Georgian territory, and that is a huge concern. Russia never implemented the terms of the six-point ceasefire from August 2008, and has continued to maintain military forces in Tskhinvali region and in Abkhazia in contravention of that agreement and in contravention of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. So I appreciate the concern that many Georgians have over this massive influx of Russian citizens, and all I can say is that this is a sovereign decision for the Government of Georgia on who to admit and in what types of numbers. But certainly, this is an unprecedented situation that your country faces right now where not only are two regions of your country occupied illegally by Russia, but you have a huge influx of primarily young men coming from Russia as a result of this mobilization order. And so each country is going to be different in terms of how it responds to the desire by Russian citizens to escape their country and to seek refuge elsewhere, and each country has to decide based on what it feels is best to protect its national security. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's order for a partial military mobilization on September 21, it was seen that long queues of people were trying to enter Georgia through the Russo-Georgian Larsi border checkpoint.
Ambassador John Sullivan: We will await what the Russian Government’s reaction and then I would expect that there would be a phone conversation, or perhaps a meeting
What are the next steps diplomatically? Secretary Blinken said he expects to speak to Foreign Minister Lavrov in the coming days and is ready to discuss new steps. What should be these steps? The question of the Europe Time was answered by John J. Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation. „Well, we will await the Russian Government’s response to the written document that I delivered on Wednesday. The Russian Government also received from NATO a written response from NATO to the draft treaty that Russia presented in mid-December through us, through the United States when Assistant Secretary Donfried and I met with Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov. So we will await what the Russian Government’s reaction and assessment is to our written responses, and then as Secretary Blinken noted, I would expect that there would be a discussion, a phone conversation, or perhaps a meeting – I don’t know; that hasn’t been agreed to. The Secretary, Secretary Blinken, has used both formats to communicate with the foreign minister, many phone calls and a number of meetings over the last year. So I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened in relatively short order, but that depends on the Russian Government, its response to the documents that the United States and NATO submitted and when they would like to resume discussions. We certainly hope that they will do so. As I said at the outset, our preferred path is diplomacy and we believe the document that we submitted on Wednesday lays out a path to diplomacy and a de-escalation of this situation“, - Ambassador John J. Sullivan said.
Pentagon says the delivery of 26 tons of security assistance to Georgia enhances the capabilities of the country
According to a Department of Defense spokesman speaking to Europetime, the delivery of 26 tons of security assistance to Georgia enhances the capabilities of the country. „The delivery of 26 tons of security assistance to primarily Building Partner Capacity Section 333 Program (10 USC $ 333) funded assistance. There were no significant new capabilities as part of this package. The Building Partner Capacity Section 333 Program has long served to build partnerships with foreign nations by providing military and equipment training to enhance partner nations' capabilities“, - Pentagon says. Georgia receives $11.5 million in equipment from the US. According to the US Embassy in Georgia, 26 tons of security assistance were handed over to the Defense Forces of Georgia. „Today we delivered 26 tons of security assistance to enhance the defensive capabilities of Georgian Defense Forces. This $11.5 million in equipment, is just one way the U.S. supports our strategic partnership with Georgia“, - the statement reads.
State Department on Reeker's visit: The United States is committed to promoting a democratic and peaceful future for the South Caucasus region
Ambassador Reeker, who was recently named Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, is currently in Baku where he met on Tuesday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 14 with senior Azerbaijani leaders. Ambassador Reeker met with President Aliyev on Tuesday. According to a State Department spokesperson speaking to Europetime, In all locations, Ambassador Reeker will emphasize that the United States is committed to promoting a secure, stable, democratic, prosperous, and peaceful future for the South Caucasus region. In all 3 countries, Ambassador Reeker is meeting with senior officials to discuss key issues in the region as well as look at pathways to assist partners in engaging directly and constructively to resolve outstanding issues and further regional cooperation. In all locations, Ambassador Reeker will emphasize that the United States is committed to promoting a secure, stable, democratic, prosperous, and peaceful future for the South Caucasus region. On August 24, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appointed Reeker the country’s Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on September 7 that Reeker will conduct his first visit in this new capacity to the region. „ambassador Reeker, our senior advisor for Caucasus negotiations, will be traveling to the region this week in what will be his first trip in this new role. This is a first of what we expect to be regular travel to the region. He departs this evening and will be going to Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, and in all three countries he’ll meet with senior officials to discuss key issues in the region as well as looking for pathways to assist partners and engaging directly and constructively to resolve outstanding issues and further regional cooperation“, - Patel said.
