Heritage Foundation: Top 5 Priorities for US - Georgian Relationship in 2020
The American research and educational organization Heritage Foundation has released a report, titled 'Five Top Priorities in US-Georgia Relations in 2020'.
The author of the work is Alexey Mrachek, an assistant researcher on issues related to Russia and Eurasia.
The report notes that 2020 will be an important year in US-Georgian relations. Parliamentary elections will be held in Georgia in October 2020 and Mrachek points out that given the active protests in 2019, these elections will most likely be noisy and tense.
"Other matters for 2020 include the fate of the Anaklia port project, making a US–Georgia free trade agreement (FTA), and Georgia’s NATO aspirations. In order to advance the US–Georgian relationship in 2020, the US should support free and fair parliamentary elections, push for a free trade agreement with Georgia, support Georgia’s NATO aspirations, strengthen the bilateral defense relationship, and prod Georgia to find a new investor for the Anaklia port project," the author notes.
He then points out that Georgia is of great importance to the United States. First of all, the country has proven to be a reliable ally in Afghanistan and Iraq, with thousands of Georgian fighters having been deployed in support of both missions over the years.
The author also highlights Georgia's strategically important location.
“Georgia’s location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia is extremely strategic. Running through Georgia are key oil and gas pipelines and rail lines, which are important to European security. These pipelines include the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline, the Baku–Supsa pipeline, and the coming Southern Gas Corridor transit, and the main rail line running through Georgia is the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway," the report reads.
Moreover, according to the report, in terms of democratization in the region, Georgia is an example in Eurasia.
"Georgia also serves as an example for the Eurasia region in terms of its democratization efforts. It has remained committed to the transatlantic community for nearly 20 years, and it strongly values territorial integrity," the author notes.
"Georgia will be faced with multiple challenges this year," Mrachek writes. "The fate of the October parliamentary elections and the Anaklia Port project are uncertain. However, they could be successful if the US encourages Georgia onto the right path. Fortunately, the bilateral defense relationship, Georgia’s future NATO membership, and the possibility of a US–Georgia free trade agreement are already making progress. The United States should continue strengthening its relationship with Georgia by making these five issues a top priority in 2020," the author of the report concludes.
Source: heritage.org
Read the full report here