Dr. Khatuna Burkadze underlined: “The U.S. House of Representatives reaffirmed bipartisan support towards Georgia by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.  The bill contains important provisions for the further deepening of the U.S. -Georgia strategic partnership. Amid Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war on Ukraine, security in the Black Sea region is a matter of strategic importance for the United States. In the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the document underscores the necessity of enhancing Georgia’s self-defense and whole-of-government resistance and resilience capacity”. 
 

Dr. Khatuna Burkadze noted: “According to the bill, the U.S. continues to support and assist Georgia in overcoming challenges coming from the Russian Federation including in countering Russian disinformation and propaganda campaigns intended to undermine the sovereignty of Georgia, the credibility of its institutions, and European and Euro-Atlantic integration.”
 

She mentioned that in the changed security environment, the bill underscores the importance of the full implementation of the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative. It will promote to strengthen Georgia’s deterrence, territorial defense, whole-of-government resistance, and resilience capacity, and foster readiness and NATO interoperability. 
 

“Throughout the last thirty years, our friendship and strategic partnership have been strong and unshakeable. This year we are celebrating 30 years of U.S.-Georgia diplomatic relations. After regaining Georgia’s independence, the U.S. has provided multi-dimensional assistance to help Georgia to build democracy and become a modern state, capable of responsible self-defense, that contributes to the security and prosperity not only of all Georgians but of a Europe whole, free and at peace”, - added Dr. Khatuna Burkadze.