US delegation meets opposition

A delegation of US high officials is in Georgia to discuss the cooperation prospects in various fields and possibilities of strenthening the relationship between the two countries.

Among the delegation are Senator James Inhofe and Senator Jon Boozman, as well as Congressmen Vern Buchanan, Ander Crenshaw, Dan Kirkpatrick, Steve Pearce and numerous advisors of the senate committees.

The American team met with representatives of the United National Movement today.

Georgias western integration, state security and domestic democratic process were some of the issues discussed at the meeting.

At the conclusion of the meeting, David Bakradze of UNM said the US support for these three issues was significant for Georgia and its future.

"The US has been the state which has ensured protection of Georgias security for years and it is going to support the countries peaceful reunification in the future. So of course the main topic of discussion was the country's reoccupation and security. Our partners have shown a big interest towards the democratic processes in the country, Bakradze said.

Yesterday it was announced USA would grant $62 million USD in financial aid to Georgia this year. At the meeting UNM members thanked the US delegation for their financial support.

Party member Giorgi Baramidze said he called the US to increase its support of Georgia in terms of NATO membership for the upcoming NATO Summit.

Meanwhile UNM leader and former Secretary of the Security Council, Giga Bokeria, expressed his sorrow that Georgia had met with US delegates in a time where "the repressions are imposed towards opposition and the Government authorities have relaxed their efforts in terms of putting a pressure on the Russian Federation.

"We shared our position to our US partners and said that the Georgian Government has to be focused on strategic issues and improving our current economic problems instead of chasing the opponents and their imprisonment, Bokeria said.

During their time in Georgia, the US delegation are expected to meet with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Preisdent Giorgi Margvelashvili the Secretary of the Security Council, and Ministers from various Governmental departments, including Foreign Affairs, Defense and Justice.

In addition, the American group will also meet with the State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the countrys acting Chief Prosecutor and the Members of Georgian Parliament.