US applauds Georgia’s focus on economic development
John Kerry will come to Tbilisi in June

United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Tbilisi in June to show "the depth” of support the US has for Georgia.

Kerry announced his intention to visit the country when he met Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze in Washington D.C. yesterday.

Earlier today, @JohnKerry welcomed #Georgia's Foreign Minister @JanelidzeMkh to @StateDept. https://t.co/uFiiA0CJS8

— Engage State (@EngageState) March 15, 2016

"It’s my intention to try to get to Georgia somewhere in June or perhaps shortly thereafter, but we are trying to make plans to get there because Georgia is an important friend of the United States and we want to make clear to Georgians the depth of our support for their struggle for full independence and for the full territorial and sovereign respect of its borders,” Kerry said.

The US Secretary of State stressed "Georgia has undergone its own challenges over these last years” and he declared "unequivocally” the US supported Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He praised the Georgian Government’s unwavering efforts to develop the country’s economy.

"We applaud the current focus in Georgia on economic development and on building the economic opportunity for the people of Georgia,” he said.

"We believe that an independent, unified, and prosperous Georgia is essential to the peace and stability of the Caucasus.”

Welcomed #Georgia FM @JanelidzeMkh to @StateDept today. Thanked him for cooperation with @NATO and support to @ResoluteSupport mission.

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) March 15, 2016

Kerry said the US strongly appreciated Georgia’s significant contributions to the peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan and Georgia’s active counterterrorism support, which was essential, on a regional basis.

"We very much support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and we support their efforts to pursue a closer integration with both the United States and with Europe,” he said.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Janelidze stressed Georgia had made "tremendous” progress in democratic and economic development over the past 25 years since it regained independence in 1991.

"The Georgian Government is pursuing a bold reform agenda that will continue to strengthen our democracy, our economic development as you mentioned already, and our aspiration and integration in the EU and NATO and Euro-Atlantic space,” Janelidze said.

"Georgia’s strategic partnership with the United States has been instrumental and contributed greatly to achieving these results and we continue our successful cooperation in many areas.”

"It’s a true friendship based on common values and shared interests and we continue to work together. We are very grateful for all the support provided by the United States, by the American people, to achieve the progress we are having today.”

Janelidze highlighted Georgia’s territory - more than 20 percent of it – still remained occupied. He hoped this problem would be solved in a peaceful manner and Georgia would find a solution together with its international partners.

Meeting Secretary @JohnKerry. The #US & #Georgia are strategic partners and committed allies.@EngageStatepic.twitter.com/Mn5AEUk5a3

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) March 15, 2016

"Just as the United States has stood with Georgia over the past 25 years, Georgia stands shoulder to shoulder with the United States in ensuring global security. The relationship between our two countries at all levels of government has never been stronger,” he added.

Janelidze is paying a four day visit to the US, which he started on March 13.