US-Georgia's strategic partnership; U.S. efforts regarding democracy in Georgia; Euro-Atlantic aspirations; security of Georgia in the context of the Black Sea; NATO; economy of Georgia in the context of trade through the Anaklia port; Middle Corridor—a US State Department official discussed these and other subjects under the condition of anonymity in an exclusive interview for Europetime.
US-Georgia's strategic partnership
According to a US official, “the bilateral partnership between the United States and Georgia is good. The United States has been the strongest supporter of Georgia`s economic and democratic development and prosperity over the last 31 years.“
- “So I think we are going to continue to partner with the people and the government of Georgia as they pursue a democratic, prosperous, peaceful, and Euro-Atlantic future. Congratulations to Georgia, the people of Georgia, and the government European Commission recommendations—that is a great sign and tremendous opportunity for all Georgians, and I think it is just another sign that this shows the path towards continuing partnership that the United States and Georgia have. We saw the excitement in the streets of Tbilisi over the EU decision that was shared here, in Washington, by those who love Georgia. I think it really shows that if we work together, if the political parties work together, and if the parliament and government work together, we really have exciting possibilities for our future,“ a US official told EuropeTime.
U.S. efforts regarding democracy in Georgia
- As for the U.S. efforts regarding democracy in Georgia, elections are approaching, and very important information has been spread recently, according to which the U.S. government has and will continue to expose Russia’s efforts to undermine democratic elections around the world. How large-scale is this threat to Georgia, and how will the US support ensuring transparent elections in Georgia? This is a crucial question for the US, a US official says.
„This is an incredibly important question for the US because, when we are talking about the EU commission's recommendation to grant Georgia candidate status, free and fair elections were one of the main requirements.
We will continue to work with Georgia's Central Election Commission and international partners, including the OSCE and the Council of Europe, to ensure long-term observation needs. Russia is seeking to subvert democratic processes around the world, not only in Georgia but around the world. We are raising awareness that, as part of these efforts, Russia is pursuing operations to degrade public confidence in the integrity of elections themselves. To better understand this threat, the U.S. Intelligence Community undertook a review of Russian operations to undermine public confidence in democratic elections that took place between January 2020 and December 2022. The IC found that this Russian activity is global in scope.
Russia is seeking to undermine democracies from within. In response, the U.S. State Department has briefed more than 100 democracies around the world on these Russian efforts and steps we can take together in response. We are also speaking openly about these findings. We have and will continue to expose Russia’s efforts to undermine democratic elections around the world. We will also continue to work with other democracies to further these efforts. We are seeking to increase public awareness of and resilience against these Russian activities. We had discussions with Georgia about the Russian efforts,“ a US official told EuropeTime.
Regarding the following actions, according to a US official, the next most important step really is to start working on long- and short-term monitoring of the elections.
“This is the right time for us to be working with the central election commission, working with the partners, civil society, and making sure that, in partnership with Georgia, we can do what we can to make sure that these are successful elections, because this will be especially important given the recommendation by the European Union. It is really important that these elections go forward in a proper way.“
Euro-Atlantic aspirations, NATO
According to Washington, the declarations of the Bucharest summit in 2008 made it clear that Georgia would become a member of NATO. According to Washington, Georgia is a steadfast NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner, a category reserved for NATO’s closest partners.
- „Georgia has had NATO aspirations for a long time. In 2008, the Bucharest summit declarations revealed that one day Georgia would become a member of NATO. I think that Georgia is a steadfast NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner, a category reserved for NATO’s closest partners, and has served alongside American and other NATO troops. The United States is a strong supporter of Georgia’s NATO aspirations. The United States continues to work with Georgia on building its interoperability with NATO, and we urge Georgian officials to advance the vital democratic reforms that are essential for NATO admission because, even though NATO is a security organization, there are also, in many ways, political aspects,“ a US official told EuropeTime.
Anaklia deep-sea port
The United States has long supported Georgia’s economic development and recognizes the key role Georgia can play in the Middle Corridor with its access to the Black Sea.
“The United States has long been a strong supporter of Anaklia's deep water port development because it is a very important contributor to Georgia's economy for the development of the Trans-Kaspian transportation corridor.
What we have seen is the great importance of developing the middle corridor to allow goods to go from central Asia through the Caucasus to Europe and really help economic integration and development in all these regions.
So, we think further developing the port will be a really important element in economic development. It is the sovereign decision of the Georgian government to develop the port, but what we, the United States, are looking for is a project that is transparent, in accordance with the rule of law, that really takes into account the long-term security and prosperity of Georgian citizens—the projects that are done in a transparent way and that pay attention to the interests of the Georgian citizens. Any of these types of projects are good. I would encourage Georgian people and the Georgian government to consider those types of projects.“
The security of Georgia in the context of the Black Sea and Russia`s war in Ukraine
In the context of the security of the Black Sea region, what role and importance does Georgia have, and what should Georgia do in order to further increase and strengthen this importance and role? An important component in this war is the Black Sea. The Russians announced the creation of a new Black Sea Fleet base in the occupied territory of Georgia. Against the backdrop of Russia's actions, how does the US see the prospect of long-term security in the region in general and Europe as a whole, including Georgia? In response, a senior US State Department official emphasizes the importance of continuing to work with allies and partners.
“We have Russia`s brutal war against Ukraine; 20 percent of Georgia`s territory is occupied by Russia. All these things really demonstrate the critical strategic importance of the Black Sea region. So, what we have done is continue to encourage deeper cooperation among Black Sea allies and partners to deter and defend against Russia`s ongoing aggression in the broader Black Sea region.
This cooperation includes further efforts to increase information sharing to build common awareness in the maritime domain and beyond. So, we want to cooperate with the Georgian government as a close bilateral strategic partner in the region and as a NATO partner for peace because we are looking to help develop Georgia`s capacity and capability to deter and defend against any kind of aggression, including in the Black Sea.
The United States remains a steadfast supporter of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized border. Russia's plans to establish a permanent naval base in occupied Abkhazia are deeply concerning. Such an act will be another clear violation of the commitment Russia made under the 2008 cease-fire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions. So any such actions by Russia will further increase tensions and undermine stability in the region,“ a US official told EuropeTime.
Armenia-Azerbaijan
Washington admits that it is not satisfied with what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh. They stress how crucial it is to resume the peace talks. Washington believes that the statements of the assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O'Brien, reflect the best way to ensure security in the region. Washington supports O'Brien's position amid Baku protests.
- “We are not happy with what happened in Nagorno Kharabakh. It is important to get back to peace talks. James O’Brien, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, reiterated this during a congressional hearing on Wednesday. His talks are the way to long-lasting security for both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and, frankly, to Georgia`s benefit as well. The best way to develop and expand is if we can actually have peace between these two countries. This is something we will continue to work on, and I am optimistic we will be able to get back to peace talks and hopefully will be able to start building a better south Caucasus for all countries because stability is good not only for Armenia and Azerbaijan but for Georgia as well, for security reasons, economic development reasons, democracy, and transparency reasons,“ a US official told Europetime.
