Kvirikashvili: US Navy visit reaffirms America’s support for Georgia

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended a festive reception aboard a specialist United States (US) Navy communications ship that's currently docked in Batumi, in western Georgia.

The US command and control ship arrived in Georgia’s coastal city Batumi to enhance the naval partnership between Georgia and the US on October 12.

Yesterday US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly hosted a special reception for Georgian Government members on the US Navy 6th Fleet Command and Control Ship, USS Mount Whitney. 

PM Kvirikashvili (r) visits the US Navy ship in Batumi. Photo by the PM's press office. 

Prime Minister Kvirikashvili assessed the entry of the American Navy ship into Georgian territory as "yet another demonstration of strong support from the US”.

He said this visit sought to enhance the naval capabilities of the regional partners of the US in order to ensure their security and stability.

The entry of the USS Mount Whitney into the Batumi Port is of utmost importance to our country. Besides promoting regional security and stability, the entry of the American command ship into Georgia reaffirms our country's steadfast support from our strategic partner, the United States of America,” the PM said.

This visit, which is a result of our bilateral cooperation with the US Navy, seeks to enhance the naval capabilities of the regional partners of the US in order to ensure their security and stability.”

PM Kvirikashvili (C) visits the US Navy ship in Batumi. Photo by the PM's press office. 

Kvirikashvili stressed Black Sea security was an important component of Euro-Atlantic security.

Activities of this type clearly exemplify NATO's attitude toward Georgia's engagement in the dialogue on the security in the Black Sea Region, and we are committed to deepen ties in this direction," Kvirikashvili noted.

The PM said Georgia's partnership with the US, which had withstood the test of time through difficult periods facing Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, was the most effective mechanism to strengthen Georgia's security and resilience and to support Georgia in its integration into NATO.

The US command and control ship arrived in Georgia’s coastal city Batumi to enhance the naval partnership between Georgia and the US on October 12. Photo by the PM's press office. 

Meanwhile US Ambassador Kelly noted this was the fourth visit to Georgia by the USS Mount Whitney - the first time the ship entered Georgian waters was after 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

The Batumi Port visit is a clear signal heralding the deepening of US-Georgia partnership and a demonstration of support,” Kelly said.

The US Navy 6th Fleet Command and Control ship, USS Mount Whitney. Photo by the PM's press office.

The US ship will leave Batumi later today.