Legislative act initiated in US Congress confirms growing interest and firm support of US towards the region and Georgia

An important legislative act on July 12, 2022, was initiated in the US Congress, which once again confirms the growing interest and strong support of the US for the region and Georgia. 

In particular, US Senators Gene Shahin (Democrat – New Hampshire) and Mitt Romney (Republican – Utah) presented a bipartisan bill in the Senate – the Black Sea Security Act of 2022, which instructs the US administration to develop a strategy for the Black Sea region.

According to the draft law, the Black Sea region, along the eastern border of the European Union and NATO, remains a zone of growing tension and conflict following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022, and Georgia in 2008. Therefore, it is critically important to ensure the national security of the Black Sea region, namely Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

It is worth noting that the draft law envisages an increase in the military support of Georgia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria, and also emphasizes the importance of close economic cooperation of the USA with the countries of the region. In this regard, the document responds to the opening of a regional office of the US International Development Finance Corporation in Ukraine, Georgia or Romania.

Among other things, the Security Act addresses the reduction of Russian influence in the Black Sea region. In particular, emphasis is placed on the need to fight Russian propaganda in the region, reduce dependence on Russian energy resources, and increase the energy security of the countries of the region.

The document talks about developing a long-term security strategy with the allies, which will ensure their permanent and sustainable presence on the eastern flank.

The bill also addresses and supports the 3 Seas Initiative of Central and Eastern European countries, which aims to improve transport, energy and digital infrastructure and stimulate connectivity between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas.

The co-sponsors of this bill are US Senators Tom Tillis (Republican – North Carolina), Chris Coons (Democrat – Delaware), Senator Roger Wicker (Republican – Mississippi) and Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat – Maryland).