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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman January 3, 2001 Presidential Proclamation on Trade Relations with Georgia President Clinton signed a proclamation extending normal nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of Georgia on December 29. This proclamation confirms the "graduation" of Georgia from Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 which includes the Jackson-Vanik Clause. This completes the legal process begun with passage of P.L. 106476 -- The Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000 -- by Congress on October 26, 2000. Graduation from the provisions of Title IV of the 1974 Trade Act allows the United States to extend unconditional normal trade relations treatment to the products of Georgia, and to avail itself of all rights, and to extend all benefits, under the World Trade Organization with respect to Georgia. Georgia acceded to the World Trade Organization agreement on June 14, 2000. This "graduation" from Jackson-Vanik marks another milestone on Georgia's road to a more independent, democratic, stable and prosperous future. The United States is pleased to note this achievement and express again its support for Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and free market democratic transformation. [end of document] Press Statements Index | Department of State | Secretary of State