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Europe: Georgia
GOVERNMENT
Georgia is a republic in which the president is elected for a term of 5 years, limited to two terms. The constitutional successor is the Speaker of Parliament.
Parliamentary elections on November 2, 2003 were marred by irregularities and fraud according to local and international observers. Popular demonstrations ensued in the streets of Tbilisi. Protestors carried roses in their hands in events that became known as the Rose Revolution. President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned on November 23, 2003, and Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze assumed the role of Interim President. Mikheil Saakashvili was elected to a 5-year term as president in January 2004. Parliamentary elections were re-held in March 2004 and President Saakashvili's party, National Movement, combined with Speaker Burjanadze's party, the Burjanadze-Democrats, won the majority of seats.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in 2012 and a presidential election is scheduled to be held in October 2013. Under Georgia’s current constitution, President Saakashvili is prevented from running for a third term in 2013.
U.S.-GEORGIA RELATIONS
The strength of U.S.-Georgia relations is illustrated by the U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, signed in January 2009. The Charter outlines the importance of the relationship as strategic partners as well as the intent of both countries to enhance defense and security cooperation; to further develop economic, trade, and energy cooperation; to promote democracy; and to build people-to-people and cultural exchanges. A June 2009 plenary session in Washington chaired by Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and Foreign Minister Vashadze launched semi-annual talks to implement the Charter’s objectives. Working groups covering the Charter’s four sectors each met once in Tbilisi between October 2009 and February 2010. Another plenary session is expected to take place in Washington in 2010.
The United States has provided over $3 billion in assistance to Georgia since its independence in 1991, including $1 billion in the aftermath of the 2008 conflict focused on supporting reconstruction and stabilization and helping Georgia reinvigorate its democratic, economic, and security reforms. Post-conflict U.S. assistance provided urgent humanitarian relief to those most affected by hostilities. U.S. programs continue to assist internally displaced persons through housing upgrades and by improving social services. Support for infrastructure rehabilitation and development, especially in the energy sector, facilitates renewed economic growth and seeks to decrease Georgia’s dependence on energy imports. U.S. programs work to strengthen democracy and governance by enhancing institutional checks and balances and by increasing public participation in democratic processes. This includes assistance to strengthen the rule of law; increase government transparency, accountability, and responsiveness; promote political competition and democratic electoral processes; and strengthen independent media and civil society. U.S. programs are targeted to increase the standards of living of Georgians through development and reform of the education and health sectors. U.S. assistance builds capacity in Georgia’s security sector by enhancing the professionalism and capacity of the armed forces, furthering its ability to secure its borders, improving law enforcement, and addressing cross-border challenges such as trafficking in persons and narcotics. Georgia was one of the first countries to receive a Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, in the amount of U.S. $295 million over 5 years, with an another $100 million added following the August 2008 conflict. Georgia’s compact is focused on rehabilitating regional infrastructure and supporting enterprise development.
