U.S. Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino about Further Partnership with Georgia

On November 29, during the Department Press Briefing, Deputy Spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State, Robert Palladino commented on the recent presidential elections held in Georgia. Palladino stated the USA is expecting to continue its close partnership with Georgia.

“I would say the United States is looking forward to working with President-elect Salome Zurabishvili and continuing our close partnership with Georgia on a range of important bilateral and regional issues, including our robust security cooperation and Georgia’s contributions to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan,” says Palladino.

The U.S Embassy in Georgia also sent a congratulatory message on November 30.

“Elections are fundamental to democracy, and in that spirit, we welcome the assessment by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission that Georgia’s presidential runoff was competitive and that candidates were able to campaign freely. We also share the Mission’s concerns, and those of other international and domestic observers, about instances of misuse of state resources for a partisan campaigning, among other issues. We urge the Georgian authorities to address the shortcomings raised by the OSCE/ODIHR and other observers, and we are prepared to assist in these efforts.

"The United States and Georgia are and will remain strong partners. We fully support Georgian democracy, prosperity, territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Western integration, and we are determined to work with our friends here toward this country’s success”.

By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya

Image source: 1tv.ge