Washington continues to steadfastly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, stated Alan Purcell, the US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim to Georgia, at a formal reception hosted by the US Embassy on the occasion of United States Independence Day.
In his address, the diplomat noted that since the restoration of Georgia’s independence more than three decades ago, a close partnership has developed between the two countries, with Americans and Georgians jointly achieving significant results in the fields of defense, law enforcement, business, education, and healthcare.
“Exactly 250 years ago this week, the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia during a summer of war and uncertainty, adopted the Declaration of Independence. It detailed the foundations of America’s independence and the American vision of what a just government should be. As the Declaration states: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’
Eighty-seven years later, President Abraham Lincoln, in another era of war and supreme trial, described the American experiment as a ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people.’
Today, 250 years after the adoption of the Declaration, all of us Americans are the bearers of this legacy. For me, as someone who has represented my country on the international stage for 28 years, it is particularly impressive how America’s founding principles create a solid foundation for reliable and mutually beneficial relations and partnerships with peoples around the world.
This is certainly true of Georgia as well. More than three decades have passed since the restoration of Georgia’s independence, and throughout this time we have worked closely with the Georgian people and state institutions. Together, we have achieved tangible progress in many areas—from defense and the law enforcement system to business, education, and healthcare. Georgians and Americans have worked side by side for the prosperity of both countries. Mr. Prime Minister, the latest example of such cooperation was our meeting in Poti last week, where the seaport expansion project, funded by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), was officially announced.
People-to-people ties remain an integral part of our partnership and have been one of the embassy’s top priorities for many years. Americans genuinely love Georgia—I truly feel this. I am convinced that one of the reasons for such good mutual understanding between Americans and Georgians lies in our shared commitment to freedom and independence.
US government exchange programs have opened up new educational and professional opportunities for thousands of Georgian students, teachers, small business representatives, and professionals. Georgia possesses a unique and rich cultural heritage, and we are delighted to support efforts to preserve it and pass it on to future generations.
And most importantly, the United States steadfastly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.
“I do not think I need to dwell on the outstanding achievements that Georgia and the United States have accomplished together, because many of those present here today have themselves contributed to these successes and continue this work. Thank you for your partnership. Among all our joint achievements, those moments when service members of the Georgian Defense Forces and the US military stood shoulder to shoulder, executing the most challenging missions abroad, stand out in particular. Their courage has brought our countries even closer together. We remember with deep gratitude the Georgian and American heroes who gave their lives in the line of this shared duty. This sacrifice has bound our nations forever,” Alan Purcell stated.