Georgian Parliament Committee Chair, US senators review partnership, security

Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday reviewed “latest developments” in the country in a meeting with United States senators Jeanne Shaheen and Pete Ricketts during his official visit to Washington, the Georgian Parliament said.

The meetings focused on preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October, the domestic bill on the transparency of foreign influence and the prospect of Georgia’s accession to NATO.

The discussions highlighted the importance of the US support to Georgia and the former's “increasing involvement” in the Black Sea security process, as well as Georgia's role in promoting security and stability in the region.

The officials also discussed threats coming from Russia and the “difficult” situation in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia.

They stressed strengthening the strategic relations between the two countries was “in the interest of both sides” and required “steps to be taken”.