US Secretary of State John Kerry visits Georgia today

Georgia’s capital Tbilisi hosts United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry.

Kerry's jet touched down Tbilisi International Airport at 12.30 this afternoon and he was met by Georgia's Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze. Minister posted the welcome message on his official Twitter account:

Great honor to host @JohnKerry in #Georgia.Another proof of long-standing friendship btw/our countries #GEO#USpic.twitter.com/yRhP6ETSE5

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) 6 July 2016

From Tbilisi International Airport the US official will immediately head to the Government’s Administration in central Tbilisi to meet Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

Shortly after the two leaders will chair the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission meeting.

This will be followed by Kerry’s meeting with Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.

Assessing the importance of the visit, Janelidze said this was a sign of a great strategic partnership between Georgia and the US.

The Foreign Minister said during the visit the officials would thoroughly discuss all the topics that were part of the partnership between the two countries.

"These topics are defence, security, economic, trade, human to human contacts, education and cultural relations,” Janelidze said.

He added the US greatly helped Georgia improve its democratic institutions and implement its democratic reform agenda.

By late afternoon, about 3.30pm local time, Kerry and Kvirikashvili will hold a joint press conference.

The US Secretary of State will end his work day by meeting Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili before leaving Georgia tomorrow morning.

After visiting Georgia, Kerry will head to Ukraine and then on to Warsaw, Poland to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Summit on July 8-9.