Five Representatives of U.S. Congress – Bryan George Steil, Carol Devine Miller, Alex Mooney, Ronald Jean Estes and Kelly Michael Armstrong – have concluded a visit to Georgia.
Congressional delegation held high level meetings with Georgian officials and visited occupation line to see firsthand the results of Russian aggression and ongoing ‘borderization’. Congressmen held meetings with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Committee of Foreign Relations of Georgian Parliament, Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze. The parties discussed a number of agenda items including expanding bilateral defense/security partnership, strengthening of trade and economic ties, Russian occupation & Georgia’s democratic reforms.
Both sides expressed their aspiration to expand and deepen strategic partnerships at both the executive and legislative levels between the US and Georgia and issued a number of comments for media.
Congressman Alex Mooney, “It’s very important for the world to see the occupation that’s happening here and to let Russians know that we are paying attention and we are greatly concerned about the aggression here. So, there is five of us, congressmen from the United States here to visit and to show that we care and we support the country of Georgia.”
Congresswoman Carol Miller stated, “The United States strongly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and their right to be in their country, and we are very proud to be friends with Georgia and their government and their democracy.”
Congressman Kelly Armstrong, “You can read about it but until you are here and see it in person understanding the size and how important it is to the country of Georgia about the encroachment from Russia and being able to protect Georgia’s sovereignty.”
Congressman Ronald Jean Estes, “Well, we think it’s important for us to be here from the United States so you know, the relationship we have with the United States in Georgia is important. Being able to stand here and see the line where Russia has occupied Georgian territory is important. We want to see what’s going on in the country that we have a friendship with and that we work together.”
Congressman Alex Mooney after meeting with the Prime Minister, “The Prime Minister walked us through great supportive steps that they’ve made for an international community and helping establish peace with the neighbors. We talked about free trade, increasing trade and economic relationships between the United States and Georgia. And we’re just very excited to have a good friend in this region, someone that US wants to be friends with, and Georgia wants to be friends United States, and we embrace that fully. So we’re just here to show that we support Georgia, and we continue to be concerned about aggression from Russia I want to work with Georgia to make sure that this region is safe and secure.”