Statement by Senator John McCain on Elections in Georgia

Statement

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement on elections in the Republic of Georgia:

"I congratulate Giorgi Margvelashvili on his election as the next President of the Republic of Georgia. By all accounts, the vote was free and fair, as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and other international organizations have observed. With this election, the people of Georgia have taken another important step toward the maturation and institutionalization of their democracy.

"I also applaud President Mikheil Saakashvili for how he has conducted himself during the recent election and the ongoing transition of power in Georgia, which has been a fitting final chapter for this transformational leader. Though Georgia continues to face political and economic challenges, the country's development over the past decade has been nothing less than spectacular. Much of that credit belongs to President Saakashvili and his team. As Georgia's first elected president following the Rose Revolution of 2003, President Saakashvili is now strengthening another important precedent for Georgia's young democracy: the peaceful transition of power through free elections, democracy, and rule of law. It is incumbent upon the President-elect and the leaders of Georgian Dream to be as magnanimous in their victory as President Saakashvili and the United National Movement are being in their defeat.

"Regardless of what person or party governs Georgia, I remain committed to enhancing the strategic partnership between our countries. The United States and Georgia share many mutual interests, from reaching a free trade agreement and strengthening our defense cooperation, to deepening Georgia's integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions and reclaiming its sovereign territory that remains under illegal occupation by Russian forces. I am a dedicated friend of Georgia, and I hope to be able to work just as constructively with Georgia's incoming government as I have over the past decade with Georgia's outgoing government."

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