Robin Dunnigan Says if Elected as US Ambassador to Georgia, She will Focus on Four Priorities
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, March 31, 2023
Robin Dunnigan, candidate for the US Ambassador to Georgia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that if her candidacy is approved, she will work with the government and people of Georgia to help implement the desire for integration with the European Union and NATO.
According to Dunnigan, if she is approved as ambassador, she will focus on four priorities.
"First and foremost, my highest duty will be to ensure the safety of the team working at the US Embassy and all Americans in Georgia. Over the past 18 months I have worked to help secure our embassy team in a very challenging environment in Kyiv. I know that this responsibility is sacred; Second, if confirmed, I will work with the Government of Georgia and the people of Georgia to help them realize their desire for further integration with the EU, NATO and the West and advance a democratic future.
Euro-Atlantic integration will not only benefit the citizens of Georgia, I deeply believe that it is in the national interest of the United States. We want a democratic Georgia firmly integrated with the West, able to protect its borders and withstand the pressure of Russia's malicious actions, including Russian disinformation.
Georgia has made significant progress over the past 30 years, but some disturbing developments show that there is still much to be done. The European Union has provided Georgia with a road map of reforms that it must complete this year in order to receive EU candidate status. If approved, I look forward to supporting Georgia in implementing these reforms;
Third, I will strengthen bilateral trade and investment, including by increasing opportunities for American companies in Georgia and Georgian investments in the US. I will vigorously promote US exports and encourage reforms to strengthen a fair and transparent business environment. I will also work with the Government of Georgia to protect against potential coercive economic practices, including from Russia and the People's Republic of China.
Russia's brutal war against Ukraine violates the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Georgians know this Russian collection very well because they saw it happen in their own country in 2008 and they experience it every day because Russia still occupies about 20 percent of Georgia's territory;
My final priority will be to advocate for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. I am committed to working with Georgia and our international partners to ensure that Russia fulfills its obligations under the 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and the UN Charter. Our partnership has benefited both the people of Georgia and the US for the past 30 years. "Georgia has been a staunch NATO partner for peace since 1994 and has been the largest contributor of forces in Afghanistan among non-NATO countries, next to American troops," said Dunnigan.
US President Joe Biden nominated Robin Dunigan as a candidate for Ambassador to Georgia in February.
