United National Movement and Strategy Agmashenebeli Discuss Their US Visit
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, November 2, 2023
The United National Movement and Strategy Agmashenebeli provided an overview of their visit to the United States of America. During their campaign, they engaged in discussions with various key figures, including Alexander Sokolowski, the Deputy Administrator of the USAID Europe and Eurasia Bureau, and congressmen Robert Aderholt, Linda Sánchez, and Mike Turner. They also held meetings at the offices of Senators Ben Cardin and Amy Klobuchar and interacted with the Heritage Foundation and immigrant groups in New York.
According to Tina Bokuchava, chairman of the 'United National Movement,' the message reiterated in the U.S. capital is that Georgia must definitely receive the status of a candidate for EU membership.
According to Bokichava, "The US is not formally a decision-maker on joining the European Union, although the US is an important part of the discussions leading up to the decision."
UNM chairman stated that the conversation addressed next year's parliamentary elections in Georgia and highlighted the importance of long-term observers.
"We've received assurances that there will be an unprecedented number of long-term observers in Georgia during the upcoming elections. These elections hold significant geopolitical importance for our Western partners. In meetings with organizations that typically organize such observation missions - IRI, NDI, and USAID, which fell victim to an unprecedented attack from the 'Russian Dream' aligned with Putin's interests - we were promised a substantial presence of long-term observers for Georgia," stated Bokuchava.
Petre Tsiskarishvili, General Secretary of the United National Movement, highlighted that the Americans had fundamental questions regarding the strategic partnership.
"From the Western perspective, two primary dimensions are considered: either a country serves as a geopolitical strategic partner with regional and military influence, akin to various nations in the Middle East, or it aligns with democratic values, or both. In the case of Georgia, we aim to embody the spirit of both these dimensions. We assure our colleagues that in case of an opposition victory, Georgia will realign itself with both democratic values and a strategic geopolitical direction, reclaiming its former position maintained over the past two decades," stated Tsiskarishvili.
According to Alexander Crevaux -Asatiani, Deputy Secretary of Foreign Relations for the United National Movement, the USA raised concerns about the Chinese Communist Party's emerging role as a strategic partner for Georgia.
"Establishing a strategic partnership with the Chinese Communist Party has made it evident to everyone in the West that the Georgian government is conducting an anti-Western campaign," added Crevaux -Asatiani.
