Adam Kinzinger and Jerry Connolly presented act in support of Georgia to the US House of Representatives

The co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Georgia, Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Jerry Connolly, have again presented the act in support of Georgia in the US House of Representatives.

As noted on the House of Representatives website, the bill confirms continued US support for Georgia's independence and sovereignty, recognizes Georgia's commitment to democratic values, including in terms of free and fair elections, and strongly reaffirms US opposition to Russian aggression in the region.

The document notes that in the occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia is inciting unrest, providing assistance to separatist movements and committing serious human rights violations, including arrests and killings. Russian forces continue to harass civilian communities along the Administrative Divide Line and obstruct the right of return of internally displaced persons. The Act in Support of Georgia supports the territorial integrity of Georgia by imposing sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in the aforementioned occupied territories.

“More than 12 years have passed since Russian forces invaded and occupied Georgian lands. However, even despite Russia's violations of fundamental human rights, Georgia has worked tirelessly to develop democracy and independence for its people. For these reasons, it is important to resubmit this bill. As co-chair of the Friendship Group with Georgia, I firmly support our Georgian friends in the fight against Russian aggression. I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Connolly, for his devotion to a free and democratic Georgia,” – said Adam Kinzinger.

According to Congressman Connolly, the document strengthens the US-Georgia partnership.

“I am proud to reintroduce the Georgia Support Act that strengthens the critical US-Georgia partnership, a strategically important relationship in a critical part of the world. This bill clearly shows once again that the United States of America strongly supports Georgia's sovereignty, continued democratic development and security, especially in the face of Russian aggression. As the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I am glad that this document confirms that Georgia has been a NATO graduate student country for a long time,” – said Congressman Connolly.

The document also states that the US trade representative should make progress in negotiations on a free trade agreement with Georgia.