2016-07-01
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met with the delegation of the United States Congress. The meeting was held within the frames of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's 25th session.
The main topics of the conversation included strategic partnership, Georgia's democratic reforms, and the upcoming parliamentary elections as well as the situation in the occupied territories.
Prime Minister of Georgia thanked congressmen for supporting territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, as well as its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and adopting supportive Resolutions.
Discussions focused on the US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Georgia, which is scheduled for July 6. The Prime Minister assessed the visit of the US Secretary of State to Georgia as another confirmation of his support to Georgia.
The Prime Minister also noted that starting from today the EU Association Agreement became fully operational, all of the provisions of the agreement officially entered into force. Thus, Georgia's political association and economic integration process in view of implementation of European political, economic, social and legal standards, became full-fledged and irreversible. The Prime Minister also informed congressmen that the free-trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was signed few days ago.
During the meeting, attention was paid to the 2016 parliamentary elections. Giorgi Kvirikashvili stressed that the government will ensure holding of a democratic, free elections in line with the international standards.
The talks also touched on the situation in the region.
Senator Roger Wicker, Congressmen - Chris Smith, Robert Aderholt, Randy Hultgren, Michael Fitzpatrick, David Schweikert, US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly attended the meeting. Georgian delegation was represented by Foreign Minister Mikhail Janelidze, State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration David Bakradze and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament, Tedo Japaridze.