It is clear that NATO integration is the choice of the Georgian people and this is the path chosen by the Georgian Dream. Such a statement made Senator George Kent in his testimony at Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation’s hearing “Bolstering Democracy in Georgia”.

“Georgia’s current political crisis is thus concerning in terms of the country’s democratic development and the potential for increased vulnerability to Russian malign influence. While the current political impasse began after competitive but procedurally imperfect parliamentary elections in 2020, the roots of the crisis preceded the election

The OSCE assessed the first round of parliamentary elections as “competitive, with fundamental freedoms respected”. At the same time, the OSCE noted “the blurring of the line between the ruling party and the state reduced public confidence in some aspects of the process”. Unfortunately, most of the opposition members boycotted the new parliament, even though polls, including those conducted by the NDI and the IRI, indicate a majority of Georgians who voted for the opposition want the elected MPs to take their seats and represent their constituents.

We are urging Georgian parties to make difficult compromises to end the political crisis, and our Ambassador Kelly Degnan has worked tirelessly over the past year in this regard. We are working closely with our EU partners to help the sides find a way forward.

Progress will guide Georgia onto a path toward consolidation of democratic institutions, processes, and norms, integral to its aspiration to join the EuroAtlantic community. Failure by the ruling party and opposition to reach agreement and address the causes of the standoff, in contrast, would imperil those aspirations.

The Administration looks forward to working with Congress and European allies to help identify further opportunities to support Georgia’s democratic development, including reforms to foster judicial independence and a level electoral playing field, as well as anti-corruption and pro-business reforms.

We will continue to support the Georgian people’s choice to pursue closer ties with the EU and NATO and, as Congress has done, voice strong U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders”, - said the Senator.