Moldova and Georgia are former Soviet republics that gained independence when the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991. Both countries are strategically situated on the Black Sea, and both have for years been targets of Russian subversive activity, including election interference and attempts to undermine the credibility and authority of state institutions.
Because both countries will hold national elections in late October, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Foreign Relations Committee conducted a hearing on the situation in Moldova and Georgia, and U.S. policy toward them.
The two countries appear to be on opposite trajectories when it comes to Euro-Atlantic integration. Moldova is on the path to become a post-Soviet success story. But despite the fierce determination of the Georgian people to throw off Georgia’s Soviet past and pursue a closer relationship with the West, the ruling Georgian Dream party has passed undemocratic legislation, demonized civil society, and issued disinformation and rhetorical attacks against the United States and European partners who've supported Georgia for decades,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Joshua Huck.
“The foreign influence law passed by the ruling Georgia Dream Party on May 28th symbolizes this anti-democratic shift. This law, which mirrors a law put into force in Russia, is designed to silence critical voices, smear independent NGO activists and journalists, and cow Georgia's vibrant civil society. The Georgian Dream government passed this law despite mass protests by its citizens.”
Undeterred by “the constant threat of Russian aggression, interference and disinformation,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Christopher Smith, “Moldova's October 20th presidential election and simultaneous national referendum on EU accession represent a historic opportunity for the people of Moldova amidst the devastating impact of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
“President [Maia] Sandu, her government and the Moldovan people have taken bold steps to build a more democratic, secure, prosperous future firmly anchored in the West, a core objective of our strategy is to ensure that Moldova's course towards EU integration is irreversible,” he said.
“Georgia and Moldova have been important U.S. partners seeking closer ties with the West for decades since independence, and … they have made remarkable progress and enacted major reforms,” said USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Alexander Sokolowski. “The Moldovan people have made a courageous choice to seek integration with Europe.”
“It remains our hope,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Huck, “that Georgian leaders will reconsider their actions and return to Georgia’s long-stated Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”
