US reaffirms support for Georgia but warns of possible further actions against gov't

The United States remains committed to supporting the people of Georgia, but is prepared to take additional measures in response to actions by the Georgian government, if necessary, said spokesperson for the US State Department Matthew Miller.

Western governments have increasingly criticised the current Georgian authorities for perceived democratic backsliding, anti-Western rhetoric, and the spread of conspiracy theories, particularly following recent parliamentary elections, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media.

"We will continue to assess if there are any further steps that would be appropriate, and if so, we will not hesitate to take them," Miller stated.

Miller referred to measures the US has already implemented in response to the actions of the Georgian government.

"As you know, we have reviewed a substantial amount of aid provided to the Georgian government and have suspended $95 million due to the steps it has taken," he noted.

Nonetheless, Miller reaffirmed Washington's support for the Georgian people.

"We have made it clear that we support the people of Georgia. We have made it clear that we support their aspirations towards the EU. We have made it clear that we support their further integration with European and Atlantic partners," Miller added.

Notably, on July 31, 2024, the Biden administration suspended $95 million in US aid to Georgia in response to controversial legislation recently passed by the Georgian parliament, which many critics believe mirrors a Russian law used to suppress political opposition.

The legislation, dubbed the "foreign agents" law, mandates that media outlets and NGOs receiving over 20 per cent of their funding from abroad must register as "organisations acting in the interest of a foreign power". This measure has prompted weeks of mass protests and threatens Georgia’s EU candidacy.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the decision to halt aid following a review he initiated in May after the law was enacted. He cited the Georgian government’s “anti-democratic” actions as the reason for suspending assistance intended to directly benefit the state.

Additionally, the US has imposed visa bans on several Georgian politicians and law enforcement officials accused of stifling free speech, particularly those opposing the law and supporting Georgia’s integration with the West.

Although Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili vetoed the legislation on May 14, criticising it as “Russian in spirit and essence,” the Georgian parliament, led by the Georgian Dream party, overrode the veto. The bill closely resembles a 2012 Russian law that has since been expanded to curb independent voices within Russian civil society.

By Aghakazim Guliyev