Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) said, “the US has no better ally in the region than Georgia.”

Senator Portman believes “the US must continue to support Georgia in every way, that includes ensuring that Georgia’s democracy continues to strengthen, it includes ensuring that the prosperity of its people continues to improve and it ensures that Georgia is able to enjoy its independence and sovereignty.”

“Our colleagues on the Republican side and on the Democratic side all have the same view about Georgia. We view Georgia as not only a great friend but we have a special bond with the people of Georgia who seek and aspire to freedom and want to be able to allow the people of Georgia to enjoy the benefits of democracy,” Senator stated.

Following the visit earlier today in the villages of Zemo Nikozi and Ergneti, placed next to the Russian occupation line of Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, Senator Portman noted that “Russia is providing more and more pressure.”

“Life is not good on the other side of the boundary and human rights are being violated,” Senator stressed.

“Russia continues to violate the simple six-point plan that they agreed to. One, there is no transit, people are not allowed to leave, we saw the fences, we saw the barbed wire, that is not to keep Georgians out, its to keep people from coming out of occupied territories into Georgia. We also saw in talking to the EUMM monitoring mission that they are not permitted to go to the other side of the boundary as was agreed to by all parties, including Russia,” Senator Rob Portman declared.