Georgia “remains high priority to this administration”, which is sending “a very clear message that we are supporting the government of Georgia,” U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton

Clinton was speaking to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on February 24, while outlining priorities of budget request for fiscal year 2011 for the Department of State and USAID. 

She also said that the U.S. was “heavily supporting” Georgia’s military deployment in Afghanistan “with new equipment, new training.”

“So I think what we are doing is very positive story and we stand up for Georgia in many international settings against the very strong attitudes expressed by the Russian neighbors,” Clinton said.

In separate remarks, made on February 22, Clinton said that the U.S. would use the NATO-Russia Council as a forum for “frank discussions about areas where we disagree.’

“We will use it to press Russia to live up to its commitments on Georgia and to reiterate our commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states,” she said.

According to FY 2011 budget request for Department of State and USAID, level of aid for Georgia is set at USD 68.66 million, which is USD 9.66 million increase over FY 2010.

“The increased FY 2011 request level will continue longer-term efforts to support Georgia’s stability and recovery from the August 2008 conflict with Russia. U.S. programs will help strengthen the separation of powers, develop a more vibrant civil society and political plurality, bolster independent media and public access to information, enable economic recovery, increase energy security, and continue to improve social sector reforms,” according to the budget document.

In a separate financial assistance, the U.S. provided Georgia with USD 1 billion aid package since the August, 2008 war with Russia.

According to the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi USD 469.89 million of the USD 1 billion aid package was allocated for economic assistance, including financing business projects through the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), as well as energy security and road infrastructure development.

USD 436.9 million of the aid package was allocated for humanitarian aid, including USD 250 million for budgetary support, as well as funds for support of IDPs.

USD 48.6 million of the package was allocated for good governance and democracy projects, including for support of civil society, rule of law, judiciary and political parties.

Slightly over 48 million was allocated for security measures, including for demining purposes, support to the police, coast guard and border control.