III 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 33 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 18, 2007 Mr. Lugar submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should expand its relationship with the Republic of Georgia by commencing negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement.

Whereas, in the November 2003 Rose Revolution, the people of the Republic of Georgia protested fraudulent elections in a non-violent manner and demanded a fair election, resulting in a democratically elected new government; Whereas, based on commitments to maintain an open economy and adhere to free trade principles including the reduction and elimination of trade barriers, Georgia was granted membership in the World Trade Organization on June 14, 2000; Whereas Georgia was found to have accorded its citizens the right to emigrate, travel freely, and to return to their country without restriction meeting the human rights criteria consistent with the objectives of the Trade Act of 1974, and based on these findings was granted permanent normal trade relations through a waiver of Jackson-Vanik sanctions in 2000; Whereas, in 1994, Georgia concluded a bilateral investment treaty with the United States, its largest source of foreign direct investment, in order to promote and facilitate non-discriminatory, open, and fair commercial policies; Whereas the United States is one of Georgia's largest trading partners and the commercial relationship presents an opportunity for American companies to expand and prosper; Whereas the Georgian government has made significant efforts to promote regional cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution; Whereas Georgia has demonstrated a commitment to responsible facilitation of the energy resources located within the region; Whereas Georgia has taken important steps toward the creation of democratic institutions and a free-market economy and, as a participating state of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), is committed to developing a system of governance in accordance with the principles regarding human rights and humanitarian affairs that are set forth in the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the Helsinki Final Act); and Whereas the United States is committed to aiding in regional development, economic integration and supporting democracy in the South Caucuses: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the Senate that the United States should expand its relationship with the Republic of Georgia by commencing negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement.