We hope to see a change in direction strategic direction for the Georgian government. Such a statement made Michael Carpenter, Senior Director for Europe at U.S. National Security Council.

“A lot of our cooperation with Georgia right now is under review, including the Noble Partner exercise and other engagements that we have with the Georgian Government. It’s clear that over the course of the last few months, sadly, the Georgian Government has moved in the wrong direction in terms of its Euro-Atlantic integration prospects. We have long supported Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders. We have participated in upwards of 60 rounds of the Geneva international discussions to support Georgia. So it is with some concern and sadness, frankly, that we see this move in the other direction.

But frankly, when we see harassment of civil society, when we see laws being passed that limit the space for fundamental freedoms in Georgia, that’s not compatible with the values that undergird the NATO Alliance, nor, frankly, do we think it’s compatible with Euro-Atlantic integration writ large, including the EU.

So we hope to see a change in direction, strategic direction, from the Georgian Government. But right now all of our programs with Georgia are under review”, - said Michael Carpenter.