Statements issued by the US government are not made in haste and should be taken very seriously, sanctions are one of many tools that are available. Such a statement made today US Ambassador to Georgia.

“You have seen in the statements that were issued by the US Embassy, by the United States State Department and by the Secretary of the United States that we are deeply, deeply disappointed that this process went through, after many engagements where we urged a pause.

Georgia’s political leaders, including the ruling party, agreed that these appointments would be paused until there was a broad, inclusive, multi-party judicial reform. That has not yet happened and that is why we are very disappointed that these judges were appointed. Parliament could have paused the process and chose not to.

I would say that statements issued by the United States government, including the Secretary of State, are not made in haste.

These are messages of concern from Georgia’s strategic partner that should be taken very seriously, and not disregarded as having been made in haste”, - said Kelly Degnan.