2018-05-15
Today, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a meeting with the Jamestown Foundation's delegation visiting Georgia as part of their regional tour (Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia).
During the meeting, special attention was paid to Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and achievements in this regard, also the country's implemented and planned reforms.
As it was emphasized during the meeting, strategic partnership with the US is Georgia's top priority, and 2017 was exemplary in US-Georgia partnership, and the US support is vital for the country's democratic development.
The close defense and security cooperation between the two countries was singled out, and so were the positive trends in trade and economic relations. Special emphasis was placed on the Government's effort to transform Georgia into a trade, transport, and logistics hub. According to the Prime Minister, the Government of Georgia welcomes American companies investing in the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project.
The members of the delegation commended Georgia's success toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the country's economic growth and leading positions in international rankings. Readiness was expressed to continue close cooperation with Georgia in the future.
The dialogue also involved the security situation in Georgia and the wider region, and the grievous humanitarian, human rights, and security state of affairs in the country's occupied territories.
Special emphasis was placed on A Step toward a Better Future, the Georgian Government peace initiative which seeks to better the humanitarian and socioeconomic conditions of the populations of the Regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, to boost confidence building and intensify the reconciliation process, also to provide the populations in the occupied territories with access to the benefits offered under the European integration agenda.
The US firm support of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty was underscored.
During the meeting, the Head of Government underlined the development of practical cooperation with NATO, including in ensuring security in the Black Sea Region and Georgia's expectations at the upcoming NATO Summit in Brussels, also expressing hope that Georgia's progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration will be duly appreciated during the summit.
The meeting at the Administration of the Government was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Dondua, the Prime Minister's Special Representative for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze, and the Prime Minister's Consultant on Foreign Affairs Irakli Menagharishvili.
Prime Minister's Press Office