Garibashvili-Obama meeting proves successful, say local politicians

Georgian high officials and politicians believe the meeting between Georgian Prime Minister and US President Barack Obama was a success.

"This meeting is proof that the USA views Georgia as an independent and reliable ally,” said Georgia’s Defence Minister Irakli Alasania.

Alasania evaluated the meeting as "successful” and predicted further the Georgia-USA relationship would contribute to improvements in other areas.

"There is an important trend that will be very dynamic [in terms of the] bilateral economic relationship, which will be crucial for our country and its citizens. It will strengthen other directions of cooperation such as defence and Georgia’s integration in NATO,” Alasania said today.

Leader of the Parliamentary opposition and head of the United National Movement Party David Bakradze also positively evaluated yesterday’s meeting.

He noted it was important the Georgian Government continued special partnership with the United States.

"It is very good that this meeting took place. Especially in light of the tragic developments in Ukraine,” Bakradze noted.

"It is important that the Georgian Government considers one very important message that came from President Obama - that the state of Georgia and Georgian democracy needs cooperation with all political forces and not confrontation,” Bakradze added.

Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili noted Georgia had managed to deepen Georgia’s relationship with America over the past 18 months. Usupashvili stressed yesterday’s meeting demonstrated this.

"This meeting gives us assurance that the United States of America remains firm in its position in regards to Georgia. Despite what happens in the world, in our political environment, in our neighbourhood, the US position towards Georgia stays the same,” he said.

The Parliament leader then said the close relationship would help contribute to development with the European Union and signing of numerous agreements in the trade field, which was an important step for strengthening economic ties with the USA.

Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs positively evaluated the meeting and pointed out President Obama’s position on Georgia’s relationship with Russia.

"President Barack Obama very positively evaluated Georgia’s efforts to normalize relations with Russia,” Maia Panjikidze said in an interview with Georgian TV channel Imedi.

"President Obama encouraged us to be this constructive in the future too,” she added.

"Despite the fact that constructive steps have been taken and Russia supported implementation of some technical steps, installment of barbed wire fences on the occupation line still continues today. We fully informed the U.S. on this matter,” Panjikidze noted.