Wednesday, April 12, the Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli received the US delegation of congressmen and senators in the Senate headed by the leader of the Majority of the Republican Party Bill Friest.
The discussed the important matter of the relations available between the two countries.
Zurab Nogaideli familiarized the guest in connection with the progress of Georgia during the last years. He spoke about the effected reforms. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the guests for the support and assistance rendered by the American party to Georgia. Especially he noted the funds allocated for Georgia within the framework of Millennium Challenge Program. According to the Senator Friest, the USA observes the ongoing process in Georgia with great interest and they are enchanted with the progress of the country's government. The guest said that the USA would continue rendering assistance to Georgia for democratic transformation and effecting reforms in economy.
They also discussed settlement of the conflicts available on the territory of Georgia and the opportunities of enable the USA take more active part in this process. The Senator approved the policy of the Government of Georgia which provides for peaceful and amicable settlement of the conflicts. Furthermore, the US party share the PM's worries due to the situation existing in Tskhinvali Region which poses the stability of the entire region at a risk.
The parties considered power safety issues and the role of Georgia, as a transit country, in this aspect. It was noted that it was necessary to diversify supply of energy carriers on the international market and said that Georgia played a key role in this regard.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the progress of the process of Integration with NATO. He stated that upon successful completion of Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) it would be necessary for Georgia to move to a new stage of relations and develop a Membership Action Plan (MAP). It was noted that Georgia would a worthy partner of NATO. The Georgian armed forced are taking part in international military operation under the aegis of NATO. The Prime Minister expressed thanks to the US party for the assistance rendered in the process of reforms made in the Georgian armed forces. The guests said that they definitely supported Georgia with respect to integration of Georgia with NATO and stated that they were ready to support the Georgian party in this process. The Senator also expressed gratitude towards the Government of Georgia for participation of the Georgian armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan operations.
Georgian State Chancellery Press Center