US concerned about possible policy shift amid Georgia government tensions

World November 06, 2014, 10:12

The US hopes Georgia will maintain its course towards EU and NATO membership

WASHINGTON, November 6. /TASS/. The United States is concerned about a series of resignations and dismissals in the Georgian government but hopes Georgia will maintain its course towards Euro-Atlantic future, US Department of State’s spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a written statement circulated on Wednesday.

"The United States notes with concern the Georgian Prime Minister's dismissal of Defense Minister Alasania and his deputy ministers, and the subsequent resignations of State Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Petriashvili and Foreign Minister Panjikidze and her deputy ministers," the spokesperson said.

"We have greatly appreciated the work of these ministers in service to their country and in partnership with the United States," Psaki said in a statement.

The dismissal of Defense Minister Irakly Alasania triggered a split in the ruling party coalition and the government of Georgia. On Wednesday, Our Georgia-Free Democrats, the party he founded, announced its withdrawal from the ruling Georgian Dream coalition.

Prior to that, Petriashvili and Panjikidze, who are also members of Our Georgia-Free Democrats, announced their resignation. Alasania angered the prime minister by saying that law enforcement agencies were persecuting some officers of his agency for political reasons.

Read more on the site →