[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 106 (Monday, June 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RELATIONS BETWEEN GEORGIA AND THE UNITED STATES

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                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 25, 2018

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to an 
issue that could threaten the close relationship our country shares 
with the Republic of Georgia.
  Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of 
diplomatic relations between the United States and Georgia. Since that 
time, Georgia has evolved into a strong ally of the United States with 
Georgians and Americans serving side-by-side in Kosovo, Iraq, and 
Afghanistan. Georgia has provided more troops in support of combat 
operations in Afghanistan on a per-capita basis than any other country 
in the world. The country also plays a key role in the Northern 
Distribution Network lines of communication that support NATO efforts 
in Afghanistan.
  While Georgia and the United States have been great allies these past 
25 years, that relationship is now under threat. Recently, the 
Government of Georgia began to take a series of aggressive and 
discouraging actions towards American companies operating in Georgia. 
Over the past year, I have received reports of increased mistreatment 
and harassment of American and European companies. In this time, we 
have also seen reports of favorable outreach to companies from Russia, 
Iran, and China. Simply put, this is a warning signal that should be 
taken very seriously.
  Furthermore, in February of this year, our Director of National 
Intelligence, Daniel Coats, issued his office's ``Worldwide Threat 
Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community''. Specifically, he 
highlighted issues with Georgia's recent ruling party as a top concern 
given their propensity for stifling political opposition, consolidating 
power, and causing internal issues as Georgia continues to face 
external threats from Russia.
  Moving forward, it is my hope that the Government of Georgia will 
adhere to and respect the rule of law with regards to international 
obligations and the protection of intellectual property rights. In 
respecting and honoring freely negotiated conditions of both existing 
and future business investments from the United States, the Government 
of Georgia would serve to reaffirm and demonstrate their commitment to 
the shared principles of a fair and democratic market economy and our 
critically important transatlantic strategic partnership.

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