III 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 317 

Expressing the sense of the Senate on the continuing relationship between 

the United States and Georgia. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 11, 2013 

Mr. SESSIONS (for himself and Mrs. SHAHEEN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate on the continuing 

relationship between the United States and Georgia. 

Whereas Georgia is a highly valued partner of the United 

States and has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment 

to advancing the mutual interests of both countries, including through the deployment of Georgian forces as 

part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance 

Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, where Georgia is currently 

the largest non-NATO contributor and serving without 

caveats in Helmand Province, and the Multi-National 

Force in Iraq; 

Whereas, contrary to international law and the 2008 ceasefire 

agreement between Russia and Georgia, Russian forces 

have constructed barriers, including barbed wire and 


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•SRES 317 IS 

fences, along the administrative boundary line for the 

South Ossetia region of Georgia; 

Whereas this ‘‘borderization’’ is inconsistent with Russia’s 

international commitments under the August 2008 

ceasefire agreement, is contrary to Georgia’s sovereignty 

and territorial integrity, creates hardship and significant 

negative impacts for populations on both sides of these 

barriers, and is detrimental to long-term conflict resolution; 

Whereas the peaceful transfer of power as the result of the 

October 2012 parliamentary elections in Georgia represents a major accomplishment toward the creation by 

the people of Georgia of a free society and full democracy; 

Whereas the Presidential election of October 2013 marks another step in this transition to a free and open democracy 

in Georgia; 

Whereas international election observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) 

concluded that the election ‘‘was efficiently administered, 

transparent, and took place in an amicable and constructive environment [. . .]. Fundamental freedoms of expression, movement and assembly were respected, and 

candidates were able to campaign without restriction. 

[. . .] A wide range of views and information was made 

available to voters through the media, providing candidates with a platform to present their programmes and 

opinions freely’’; 

Whereas such election conduct is consistent with actions that 

demonstrate progress toward a mature and free democracy; and 


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•SRES 317 IS 

Whereas, on November 29, 2013, Georgia initialed an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU), making Georgia a member of the Deep and Comprehensive 

Free Trade Area, removing significant trade restrictions 

with the European Union, and signifying an important 

preliminary step towards the signing and eventual implementation of the Association Agreement by all European 

Union members states and Georgia: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) declares that the United States supports the 

3 sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of 

4 Georgia and the inviolability of its internationally 

5 recognized borders, and expresses concerns over the 

6 continued occupation of the Georgian regions of 

7 Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federa8 tion; 

9 (2) encourages the President to enhance de10 fense cooperation efforts with Georgia; 

11 (3) supports the efforts of the Government of 

12 Georgia to protect its government, people, sov13 ereignty, and territorial integrity within its inter14 nationally recognized borders; 

15 (4) reaffirms its support for Georgia’s NATO 

16 membership aspirations, congratulates the Govern17 ment of Georgia on the steps it has taken to further 

18 its integration with NATO, and commends the de19 termination of the Government of Georgia to mainVerDate Mar 15 2010 03:32 Dec 12, 2013 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR317.IS SR317

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•SRES 317 IS 

1 tain its troop contribution to International Security 

2 Assistance Force and its willingness to extend its 

3 mission in Afghanistan beyond 2014; 

4 (5) congratulates the Government and people of 

5 Georgia on the Presidential election of October 27, 

6 2013, commends the Government and people of 

7 Georgia on a peaceful and democratic transfer of 

8 power, and encourages all parties to work together 

9 constructively to maintain continued movement to10 ward a free and democratic society; 

11 (6) strongly encourages the Government of 

12 Georgia to defend the rule of law, improve the inde13 pendence of the judiciary, and protect the rights of 

14 political opposition—all essential components of a 

15 free and open democracy and which can and should 

16 be demonstrated in the upcoming 2014 local elec17 tions; 

18 (7) strongly supports a United States and inter19 national election monitoring mission for this final 

20 phase of Georgia’s election cycle; 

21 (8) further encourages the Government of Geor22 gia to refrain from politically motivated arrests and 

23 prosecutions; 


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•SRES 317 IS 

1 (9) affirms that the path to lasting stability in 

2 this region is through peaceful means and long-term 

3 diplomatic and political dialogue; and 

4 (10) remains committed to assisting the people 

5 of Georgia in their efforts to establish an enduring 

6 democratic society with strong institutions within 

7 the rule of law. 

Æ 


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