Today, Administrator Samantha Power spoke with Foreign Minister of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili. Administrator Power and Foreign Minister Darchiashvili discussed the impact of the thirty years of partnership between Georgia and USAID, which has helped enhance transparency in Georgia's parliament and other institutions, bolster economic growth and energy independence, create opportunities for good-paying jobs, and attract private sector investment.
The Administrator expressed the strong concern of the United States about recent efforts to stigmatize and denigrate civil society and independent media in Georgia. She noted her support of the recent withdrawal of the ill-advised 'foreign agents' legislation and urged the Government of Georgia to regain momentum toward democratic reform and prioritize meaningful progress toward EU candidacy status and to refute further attempts to stifle civil society. She reaffirmed USAID's commitment to supporting the people and Government of Georgia as they pursue democratic progress, economic prosperity, and security.
