On 3 June, US Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman visited Georgia to get acquainted with the ongoing developments in the country.

The senators met with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, members of parliament and civil society to discuss how the US can support Georgia in its vision for democracy by implementing the EU-mediated 19 April agreement. During the meeting with Garibashvili, the parties discussed the recent developments in the region, the importance of Black Sea Security, NATO, and Georgia’s economic recovery.

“I am grateful for today’s productive, bipartisan discussions on how Georgia can bolster its democracy with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, Members of Parliament, and members of civil society,” said Shaheen. “I believe there is deep resolve to uphold the democratic objectives outlined by the April agreement to build a brighter, more secure future for the people of Georgia. The hard work must continue on a compromise that achieves the strong, vibrant civil society its citizens deserve, and the U.S. stands in solidarity with our regional partners in these efforts. We know the political fate of Georgia has significant consequences for the state of democracy in the region and the world. I’m grateful for Senator Portman’s partnership in ensuring the US supports Georgia’s people, and as chair of the SFRC Europe Subcommittee I’ll continue to advocate for reforms to strengthen democratic institutions.”

A major topic of discussions were also the electoral reforms in the country. “We applaud the 19 April agreement of the governing parties that ended the stalemate, the willingness of the majority and the opposition parties to work together to address the electoral reforms, the independence of the judiciary here, and other reforms important for the country,” Shaheen said. “One of the things that we heard from everyone we met with, and we agree with is that Georgia’s future lies in the West and your Atlantic integration with NATO and with the EU. We support further reform efforts, we know these are critical to the needs of the Georgian people and important as Georgia looks at its future in the West with the EU and NATO,” she added.

Shaheen talked about the upcoming October municipal elections, saying that elections would be under scrutiny. “Scrutiny from the international community and I think the US, we will be watching very closely, and I assume there will be monitors sent from both Europe and the US to see how those elections move forward and again, that’s why it is so important to continue with the reform agenda, to continue with developing an independent judiciary, transparency so that people in the country can see what’s happening,” she emphasised. 

Portman said that “the US has no better ally in the region than Georgia.” “The US must continue to support Georgia in every way, that includes ensuring that Georgia’s democracy continues to strengthen, it includes ensuring that the prosperity of its people continues to improve, and it ensures that Georgia is able to enjoy its independence and sovereignty. Our colleagues on the Republican side and on the Democratic side all have the same view about Georgia. We view Georgia as not only a great friend, but we have a special bond with the people of Georgia who seek and aspire to freedom and want to be able to allow the people of Georgia to enjoy the benefits of democracy,” he said. Portman also outlined the US support for Georgia regarding the separatist regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), saying that “Russia is providing more and more pressure” on the issue.

The US ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan also noted that the senators' visit was a strong sign of US support to the country. “This is a long-standing partnership as Georgia has developed its democracy, and that is going to continue,” she said. Degnan also expressed her satisfaction with the decision of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party to enter the parliament (Caucasus Watch reported), expressing her hope that the UNM would eventually sign the 19 April agreement. The ambassador also met with the residents Shukruti village near Chiatura city in western Georgia in order to discuss the compensation of the Georgian Manganese to them for the damages to their homes that they allege have been caused by mining activities performed by Shukruti+ company.