British Foreign Secretary: UK remains steadfast supporter of Georgia’s territorial integrity

The United Kingdom remains a steadfast supporter of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to support the country in its democratic reforms, says the British Foreign Secretary.

Boris Johnson sent a letter to Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between independent Georgia and the UK.

"I would like to take this opportunity to mark this significant milestone in our bilateral relationship and to say how much the UK values its relationship with Georgia”, the letter read.

.@JustinMcKenzieS hands letter from UK Foreign Secretary to #Georgia Foreign Minister @JanelidzeMkh marking 25 yrs of diplomatic relations. pic.twitter.com/WUXmTOGjqW

— UK in Georgia (@UKinGeorgia) April 28, 2017

Johnson stressed that friendship between the two countries dates back well before 1992.

"In 1919, my predecessor Lord Curzon sent Sir Oliver Wardrop to Tbilisi to be the UK's first Chief Commissioner to the Trans Caucasus. Since the restoration of Georgia's independence, our relationship has grown significantly in breadth and richness. This is reflected in the upgrade of our annual bilateral Wardrop Dialogue, named after Sir Oliver and his sister Marjory, to a strategic dialogue”, the letter read.

Johnson welcomed the "growing partnership” between Georgia and the UK on global issues from security to counter terrorism, and said he is proud that the UK is one of the top investors in Georgia.

"Contacts between our societies are flourishing, including in the fields of education, culture, sport and tourism” he added.

"I look forward to continued co-operation and further deepening of our relationship on a range of issues of mutual interest to our two countries”.