USAID Praises Democratic Transformation of Georgia

Mark Green, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), stated that Georgia is one of its most successful partners, noting that “the democratic transformation achieved by the country in recent years is gratifying.”

Green made the statement at his meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister, Mamuka Bakhtadze, who is paying an official visit to the US. Green noted that USAID will continue to fund programs in support of Georgia which are aimed at facilitating the democracy, free market and pro-western orientation of the country.

Bakhtadze and Green viewed the memorial images of USAID staff fallen in various past missions and discussed projects implemented in Georgia with USAID support and prospects of intensified cooperation in the education sector. The PM then invited the USAID Administrator to Georgia.

The parties discussed the projects which may fall within the focus of USAID in the sector of agriculture, along with small and medium enterprise (SME) development. Attention was paid to the programs implemented in the occupied regions of Georgia with financial support of USAID, which create new jobs and enable future development among the population employed in the agriculture sector.

USAID financial assistance to Georgia to date is in excess of $1.5 billion.

Bakhtadze spoke about the reform initiatives planned in the sector and stressed the significance of support from partners, including USAID, within the process of their implementation.

By Thea Morrison