John Kerry explores Old Tbilisi after official meetings

United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry is returning to the United States with a little bit of Georgia in his heart.

After meeting with Georgia’s top officials, entrepreneurs and innovators yesterday, Kerry took stroll in the historic part of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi in the balmy evening.

Photos released by Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy to Georgia showed Kerry walking through Tbilisi’s Old Town district, warmly greeting locals and waving and shaking hands.

John Kerry visits Sioni Church in Tbilisi’s old town district. Photo by US Embassy to Georgia.

During his walk he also stopped and spoke with members of the Georgian public, visited several historic sites including Sioni Church before exploring Shardeni St and sitting down to enjoy a meal of traditional Georgian food.

This morning the US top official met several leaders of Georgian opposition parties before departing for Ukraine. After Ukraine Kerry will head to Poland to attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Summit in Warsaw on July 8.

Lively chat w/young entrepreneurs from #Georgia earlier. Reiterated message from @GES2016: You can change the world. pic.twitter.com/71m1qNhXQZ

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) July 6, 2016

Kerry and a US delegation departed Georgia a short time ago from Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport. The group was farewelled by Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani and the US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly.

Photo by US Embassy to Georgia.

The statement by Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Kerry’s departure stressed the visit of the US high official to Georgia ended with "very tangible outcomes that would more deeply enhance Georgia-US strategic cooperation”.

The Ministry stressed Kerry’s visit to Georgia prior to the NATO Warsaw Summit was clear proof of "America’s strong support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic intentions and the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Kerry left Tbilisi earlier this morning. Photo by Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The Foreign Ministry noted the importance of the agreements signed during Kerry’s visit, which envisaged cooperation in defence and security, and education.

Kerry, who arrived in Georgia yesterday morning, spent his first day meeting Georgian high officials. First up he met Georgia’s Prime Minister, where the two officials widely spoke about Georgia-US relations, future prospects and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic intentions and expectations.