United States will suspend $95 million in aid to the Georgian government
US suspend aid to Georgia
On August 31, official Washington announced it would suspend over $95 million in financial aid to the Georgian government. According to Reuters, this decision was made following a review of bilateral cooperation between Georgia and the U.S., prompted by the “anti-democratic actions” of the Georgian government.
“The Georgian government’s anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO,” stated U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
However, Blinken also mentioned that the United States will continue to support programs and activities that benefit the Georgian people by strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and economic development.
“On May 23, following the anti-democratic actions of the Georgian government, I announced a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Georgia. As a result, the U.S. is suspending over $95 million in aid that could have directly benefited the Georgian government. The anti-democratic actions and false statements by the Georgian government are incompatible with EU and NATO membership norms.
While we are suspending aid to the Georgian government due to these actions, the U.S. will continue to support programs and activities that benefit the Georgian people by strengthening democracy, the rule of law, independent media, and economic development,” Blinken said.
Over 32 years of friendship and partnership between our two countries and our citizens, the people of the United States have donated more than $6.2 billion in aid, contributing to the development and strengthening of Georgia’s economy and democratic institutions. Our support has helped equip and train Georgia’s defense and coast guard forces, build schools and hospitals, and train teachers, civil servants, and medical personnel. We remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” Blinken’s statement reads.
On May 23, Antony Blinken announced a new policy of visa restrictions for individuals responsible for enacting the “foreign agents” law in Georgia and the review of U.S.-Georgia cooperation.
The visa restrictions also apply to those responsible for violence and intimidation against civil society and the suppression of peaceful protests.
On July 5, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that the joint Georgian-American military exercises Noble Partner, scheduled for July 25 to August 6, have been postponed indefinitely. This decision was also made after the U.S. initiated a review of bilateral relations with Georgia.
On July 31, several U.S. congressmen wrote a letter to Antony Blinken, demanding financial sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling party “Georgian Dream.”
