US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State met with Georgian Dream deputies

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kara McDonald today met in Tbilisi with Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament, and his Deputy Giorgi Khelashvili.

The parties reviewed the internal political situation in Georgia, discussed the current war in Ukraine, its impact on the country’s security and threats from Russia, the parliament’s press service reports.

As noted, Samkharadze and Khelashvili “informed the guest in detail” about the plan of the authorities to implement the 12 recommendations of the European Commission.

The parties also talked about strengthening the existing strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States. In this context, the importance of holding military exercises “Worthy Partner 2022” was emphasized.

Kara McDonald is Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. She arrived in Georgia to participate in the Tbilisi International Conference organized by the McCain Institute for International Leadership, the George Bush Institute and the Georgian Center for Economic Policy Research.

Speaking earlier at the forum, McDonald said the US was concerned about the rollback of democracy in Georgia. She also called on the Georgian authorities “not to miss the opportunity” and to do everything to obtain the status of an EU candidate.

The leaders of the Georgian Dream do not participate in the conference. Chairman of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili at the last moment refused to speak to the guests of the forum. He explained his decision by his unwillingness to intersect with “radical groups” who “oppose the European, Western and democratic future of Georgia.”