The US House of Representatives unanimously approved a bipartisan draft bill supporting Georgia, which is a clear affirmation of the willingness of Georgia and the United States to achieve a more qualitative level of cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the bipartisan draft law once again underlines the US’s firm support toward Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and initiates sanctions against violators of human rights at Russia’s occupied territories.

The bill pays special attention to cooperation between the US and Georgia in the field of defense and security, strengthening Georgia’s defense capability, and therefore the document obliges the US Secretary of State, together with the relevant departments, to present a cooperation strategy with Georgia in this direction for the next five years.

The bill also calls on the US Trade Representative to take effective steps to start negotiations on a free trade agreement with Georgia.

By a legislative act, the Congress condemns the occupation of the regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali by Russia; as well as human rights violations in the occupied regions, including the killing of Georgian citizens Archil Tatunashvili, Gigi Othozoria and David Basharuli. supports the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Georgia, the creation of international security mechanisms in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons to their homes.

Congress demands to impose sanctions through prohibition to entry into the United States and freezing the financial assets, against any person who is responsible for the serious violations of human rights in the occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, through direct involvement or assistance. Congress instructs the President of the United States, through consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, to submit a detailed report on the persons identified in the aforementioned criminal acts within 60 days after enacting the law.