- Georgia-U.S. High-Level Visits & Meetings
The Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani held virtual meetings with key stakeholders on regional security at the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
As of April 4, 2022, David Zalkaliani is Ambassador-Designate of Georgia to the United States.
The Embassy of Georgia hosted a visiting Georgian delegation led by State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia to Washington, DC. The delegation held meetings with officials from the Department of State, National Security Council, Congress, and Academia.
USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman visited Georgia to convey USAID’s commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity and its ongoing support for the Georgian people.
Chargé d’affaires Giorgi Tsikolia paid a working visit to Montpelier, Vermont, where he as the guest-speaker opened Norwich University’s Peace & War Summit 2022 and met with Vermont Governor Phil Scott.
Chargé d’Affaires Giorgi Tsikolia hosted multiple meetings at the Embassy with key congressional staffers on issues related to Georgia-U.S. bilateral security, defense cooperation, regional security, the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the prospects and needs for deepening bilateral security cooperation between Georgia and the United States.
Chargé d’Affaires Giorgi Tsikolia paid a working visit to Monterey, California, where he participated in the Naval Postgraduate School’s public roundtable discussion – “Energy & Security in the Black Sea Region” – with Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Ibrahim and DCM of Turkey Sinan Ertay.
- Major Initiatives & Milestones
President Biden signed the massive FY 2022 $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package that made $132 million available for assistance to Georgia. The Government of Georgia is grateful for the continued assistance of the U.S. as Russian aggression continues and intensifies.
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Georgia Support Act (GSA) in a strong, bipartisan fashion. The passage of the bill sends an unequivocal message on the durable bonds built between the United States and Georgia.
The U.S. Development Finance Corporation approved a series of private sector projects in Georgia totaling $200 million. These investments strengthen the resilience of the Georgian private sector in these challenging times and serve as another indication of growing Georgia-U.S. business ties.
- Spotlight on Georgia among U.S. policymakers
Members of the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group urged U.S. President Joe Biden to convey support for the ‘security and freedom’ of Eastern European allies to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the NATO-Russia Council meeting. January 12, 2022.
The U.S. Helsinki Commission called on the Biden administration to designate both Georgia and Ukraine as major non-NATO allies and increase U.S. support for NATO accession for the two countries. March 12, 2022.
The State Department Spokesperson Ned Price condemned Russia’s ongoing occupation of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and called on Russia to cease the occupation and fulfill its obligations under the terms of the 2008 ceasefire with Georgia, following reports on plans by Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) to hold a referendum on joining Russia. March 31, 2022.
Senator Chris Coons (D-CT) condemned Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories and denounced the so-called referendum in the Tskhinvali region. “The illegitimate presidential election and referendum vote to join the Russian Federation being held in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of South Ossetia is a sham, and a reminder of the fate that may await the eastern regions of Ukraine should the current invasion succeed,” the Senator said. April 7, 2022.
- Major Events at the Embassy
The Embassy of Georgia hosted a reception to mark the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Georgia and the United States with visiting Delegations from Georgia and American counterparts from the Department of State and the White House. The Embassy also released a statement in commemoration of the occasion.
Chargé d’affaires Giorgi Tsikolia gave an interview to Fox News, where he discussed Georgia’s EU and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, Russia’s unlawful occupation of Georgian territories, and the ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine.
The Embassy of Georgia hosted students from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service BMW Center for German and European Studies (CGES). Chargé d’Affaires Giorgi Tsikolia held a discussion with the students in a Q&A format.
Chargé d’affaires Giorgi Tsikolia attended the FBI National Academy’s 281st Graduation Ceremony at Quantico to congratulate Georgian student Shota Kakulia on completing the 10-week intensive training course.
The Embassy of Georgia joined the humanitarian efforts of the St. Tamar Georgian Orthodox Church to support the people of Ukraine by donating hygiene items, warm clothing, and food supplies to the Church. The donated items will be transferred to St. Andrew Ukrainian Church and shipped to Ukrainians in need.
The Embassy of Georgia welcomed cadets and students from The Military College of South Carolina – The Citadel. Chargé d’affaires Giorgi Tsikolia discussed Georgia’s foreign policy priorities, European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Georgia-U.S. relations, the occupation of Georgian territories, and the country’s economic development agenda.
The Embassy of Georgia partnered with the Caspian Policy Center and the embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to the United States to organize a virtual conference – “30th Anniversary of U.S.-Caspian Diplomatic Relations”. First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Lasha Darsalia, Ambassador of Georgia to the United States David Bakradze, and Head of the Department of Americas Khatuna Kveselava represented Georgia at the virtual conference.