[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16300]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF GEORGIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2013

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of 
Georgia on the conduct of the October 27 presidential election. 
International observers, including the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe, characterized the election as ``positive and 
transparent,'' noting that freedom of expression, movement and assembly 
were respected, and that candidates were able to campaign without 
restriction.
  The election's successful conduct--and the pending peaceful transfer 
of power--demonstrate the growing maturity of Georgia's democracy. This 
is an important indication that Georgia is indeed ready to initial an 
Association Agreement with the European Union at the November 28-29 
Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The Association 
Agreement, which includes deep and comprehensive free trade provisions, 
will give the Georgian people new tools and new incentives to 
strengthen their democratic institutions, fight corruption, and uphold 
the rule of law.
  Mr. Speaker, I also congratulate Giorgi Margvelashvili on his 
electoral victory. I call on all political parties to work together to 
advance Georgia's interests and the interests of the Georgian people.

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