TBILISI, DFWatch – The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on June 7 passed a resolution in support of Georgia.

The resolution says that the House of Representatives supports strengthening relations between the U.S. and Georgia with a goal of helping the country increase its security and restore its territorial integrity, but only through peaceful means.

It further demands that Russia fulfills its obligations under the ceasefire agreement signed after the five-day war in August 2008. The representatives call on Moscow to give refugees the opportunity to return to their homes.

Ted Poe, a Republican from Texas, said that the resolution will contribute to everyone understanding what is happening in Georgia, which is a democratic country. He says the U.S. may not agree with Georgia on all issues, but it should support Georgia’s strong will to be a free, independent and strong country.

Ted Poe says the world should decide its position towards Russia, which has occupied territories of a country which is a friend of the U.S.

Howard Berman, a Democrat from California, said yesterday that the Georgian government should continue its progress towards even more strengthened and widened bilateral relations between the two countries. An important part of this progress will be the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.

The resolution also expresses support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, the country’s prospects of NATO integration and the importance of conducting fair elections.