US Government and Congress: Georgia remains America’s strong partner
Georgia remains America’s strong partner and ally not only in the region but also globally — Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze said during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held on 10 February 2017, as part of Mikheil Janelidze’s visit to the U.S.
The sides spoke about the successful democratic and economic reforms Georgia has carried out over the past few years setting an example to follow for the entire region. The sides also highlighted the great potential Georgia has for developing economy, attracting investments and becoming a regional hub. It was underlined during the meeting that the U.S. continues to support Georgia in developing its democratic institutions and economy. Rex Tillerson thanked Georgia for its contribution towards maintaining global security and for the bravery of Georgian soldiers serving in international peacekeeping missions.
The Secretary of State put a high value on the development path Georgia is pursuing and the reforms the Georgian government has identified as priorities in the areas of good governance, education and business. According to the Secretary of State, Georgia’s development path is a path towards peace and stability.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the security situation in the region and issues relating to the Georgian-Russian conflict. Rex Tillerson reaffirmed the U.S. administration’s firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its readiness to support the country in dealing with the challenges currently facing it.
The Minister thanked the Secretary of State for the outstanding role the United States has played in building Georgia as an independent state.
Mikheil Janelidze said that Georgia is not only America’s strong partner but it also shares with the West such common values as democracy, rule of law and freedom. Moreover, Georgia has made substantial progress on this path over the past four years. Mikheil Janelidze spoke extensively about main directions of Georgia’s development and foreign policy.
The sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue an active dialogue on all issues of importance to Georgia and to contribute to further deepening the existing bilateral co-operation.
Georgian Foreign Minister also held meetings on Hill during his visit. At the meeting with the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minister Janelidze spoke about the ongoing processes in Georgia. The Senator expressed his interest in the recent developments in the occupied regions and reaffirmed the Senate’s support for Georgia’s territorial integrity. Minister thanked Senator Mitch McConnell for his active support paying special attention to a number of initiatives that have been launched over the past few years with the goal of further developing bilateral relations with Georgia.
Georgia-U.S. bilateral relations and prospects for future co-operation were main issues of discussions during the meeting with Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Corker (R-Tennessee). The Minister briefed the Senator on the ongoing reforms in Georgia, as well as on Georgia’s international rankings. The sides expressed their readiness for further co-operation. The Senator reaffirmed U.S. legislators’ firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for its European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
At the meeting with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi), the Minister Janelidze emphasized the importance of various U.S. institutions’ assistance to Georgia and thanked the Committee on Appropriations for years of support for Georgia. The Senator reaffirmed U.S. legislators’ firm support for Georgia.
