Uzra Zeya, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, concluded her two-day visit to Georgia after meeting with the Prime Minister, the President, the Central Election Commission Chair, MPs, civil society, and the media.

In her remark to the media outlets, Under Secretary said she visited Georgia “at a pivotal moment, during an especially difficult time in Georgia’s democratic trajectory and 32 years of US-Georgia partnership.”

Below is her statement in full:

“I want to thank you all for joining me here tonight. This is my first trip to Georgia, and I have been blown away by the hospitality and the warmth of the Georgian people. I am here at a pivotal moment, during an especially difficult time in Georgia’s democratic trajectory and 32 years of US-Georgia partnership.

In my just concluded meeting tonight with the prime minister, and discussions over the past two days, with the president, the chair of the central election commission, members of parliament, civil society, and media, I relayed three key US messages.

First, the United States is gravely concerned about the Georgian government’s anti-democratic actions and disinformation put forth by some in the ruling party, which are jeopardizing Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path, and harming our partnership and the human rights of all Georgians. The so-called foreign influence law harms the Georgian people, including vibrant organizations supporting healthcare, schools, agriculture, media, and much more. And as a result, the European Union has frozen Georgia’s hard-fought EU accession. Escalating violence and intimidation against members of civil society and opposition is equally alarming. Furthermore, ruling party leaders, spreading disinformation about devoted and longstanding partners, including the United States, only serves our adversaries’ interests.

My second message is that the United States is an unwavering supporter of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. As Georgians know all too well, for 16 years, Russia continues to illegally occupy 20% of Georgian territory, while failing to live up to its obligation and commitments under the 2008 six-point cease-fire agreement. Earlier today, I met with brave Georgian women displaced by Putin’s aggression, and I heard their stories of suffering and resilience. The United States’ position has not and will not change. We continue to support meeting the humanitarian needs of hundreds of thousands of displaced Georgians.

My third and final message was that for over 32 years, the United States has been Georgia’s biggest supporter. Including supporting the rights of all Georgians to free and fair elections, freedoms of association and expression, and the rule of law. Let me be absolutely clear here. The United States does not support one political party over another. We do, however, expect our partners to ensure a genuine, competitive political process. It is up to the Georgian people to decide, and we support their right to select and elect their representatives in free and fair elections without threat of violence or intimidation. Any such acts of violence or intimidation must be condemned and investigated with the perpetrators brought to justice, Uzra Zeya stated.

U.S. Under Secretary went on to say that “robust and unimpeded local and international election observation is essential to free and fair elections. Georgia has a long tradition of experienced, credible, local election observers, who can help ensure the integrity of its democratic process.”

“Now for a closing note, I’d like to underscore that Americans and Georgians share a special friendship that, I think, is rooted in our shared love of liberty and independence. There are many exchange programs. We send hundreds of Georgian students and professionals to study in the United States every year. There are over 6,000 Georgian alumni of U.S. exchange programs, who are dynamic leaders in their communities and nationally. During this visit, I had the honor to meet distinguished Georgian alumni of the FLEX high school exchange program. And I also met young American Peace Corps volunteers, who are living here and partnering to advance Georgian progress and prosperity. Our people-to-people bonds are close and unbreakable, which I have seen throughout this visit. Though our bilateral ties are at a uniquely challenging moment, the United States’ commitment to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations is absolutely enduring,” Uzra Zeya added.