US Department of State: Free, Fair Electoral Processes Critical for Democracy in Georgia

"We condemn Russia’s invasion in 2008 of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," senior State Department officials said when previewing Secretary Pompeo’s Travel to France, Turkey, Georgia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

“We’ll of course use this as an opportunity to reaffirm our support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. And once again, I would unequivocally note that we condemn Russia’s invasion in 2008 of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which still remain occupied by Russia,” the senior State Department official said.

The senior officials also commented on the Euro-Atlantic ties of Georgia and the strengthening of democracy.

“In Georgia, of course, we’re committed to helping Georgia deepen its Euro-Atlantic ties and strengthen its democratic institutions and processes. In fact, the second round of Georgian parliamentary elections for some 16 seats, I believe, that will have runoffs is going to be held November 21st. And of course, as we’ve said, free and fair electoral processes are critical for democracy in Georgia and the people of Georgia are actively participating in that process”, said a senior State Department official.

"Mike Pompeo will meet with senior government officials in Georgia, including the president, Salome Zourabichvili; Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia; and Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani. He’ll also have a chance to meet His Holiness the Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarch Ilia.

“Finally, the Secretary will be meeting with representatives of Georgia’s vibrant civil society to hear their views on rule of law, on judicial independence, and an independent judiciary as part of the integral process, free adjudication of processes in the Georgian democracy, and respect for human and economic rights”, said the official.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will pay a two-day visit to Georgia on November 17-18.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Image: REUTERS 

Source: www.state.gov