U.S. Says Will Continue To Be Partner To Georgian People's Aspirations

Washington D.C./10.03.23/Turan:   The United States on Thursday welcomed Georgia's decision to withdraw the Russian-inspired 'foreign agent" draft law, but called on the ruling party to officially retract it and not further such legislation, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"It’s very clear that the Georgian people have once again spoken clearly that the only choice for Georgia is a secure and prosperous European future," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told daily briefing in response to TURAN's questions.

"While we welcome the decision to withdraw the draft law on, quote/unquote, “foreign influence,” we urge the ruling party to officially retract this bill and not to further this type of legislation, precisely because it’s incompatible with Georgian and Euro-Atlantic values and the protection of fundamental freedoms," Price said.

"We encourage Georgia’s political leaders to work together in earnest on the reforms urgently needed to obtain the EU candidate status that Georgia’s citizens overwhelmingly desire," he said.

He went on to add, "... Over the course not only of the past couple weeks but over several decades now, the Georgian people have made very clear with their voices, with their expression that they seek a Georgia that is democratic, that is prosperous, and that is integrated into the Euro-Atlantic region. They did that again, and the United States will continue to be a partner to those aspirations."

Alex Raufoglu