Aid suspended: the US has frozen $95 million for Georgia
The basis for such a decision was the adoption of the law on "foreign agents" by the country's authorities.
The United States has suspended aid to Georgia in the amount of more than $95 million, the US State Department announced. This decision is based on the anti-democratic actions of the Georgian government.
Earlier, the USA introduced visa restrictions against supporters of the high-profile law on “foreign agents” and announced a comprehensive review of relations with Georgia.
“The anti-democratic actions and false statements of the Georgian government are incompatible with the norms of membership in the EU and NATO”, – it is said in statements State Department.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted that the US has suspended aid directly to the Georgian government, but will continue to support programs and activities that benefit the Georgian people. This includes strengthening democracy, the rule of law, supporting independent media and economic development.
Blinken recalled the 32-year partnership between the two countries, adding that over the years, the US has provided Georgia with more than $6.2 billion in aid.
“We remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations”, he emphasized.
On May 28, the Parliament of Georgia overcame President Salome Zurabishvili’s veto of the law “On transparency of foreign influence” by a majority of votes. Earlier, in the spring of 2023, a similar draft law caused mass protests, and the ruling party then refused to accept it. However, this year the authorities decided not to back down, despite the protests of tens of thousands of citizens and the criticism of Georgia’s international partners.
Opponents called the law “Russian”, comparing it to similar legislation in Russia aimed at critics of the Kremlin. The Georgian government claims that the law is necessary to ensure transparency, combat “pseudo-liberal values” and preserve the country’s sovereignty.
In July, the European Union suspended the process of Georgia’s accession to the bloc and froze €30 million allocated to support the country’s defense sector.
