PM Kvirikashvili: Georgia most reliable US partner in Caucasus

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili stressed the role of Georgia as the strategic partner of the United States (US) in the Caucasus following his meeting with an official delegation led by senator John McCain in Tbilisi earlier today.

Kvirikashvili met McCain as well as senators Amy Klobuchar and Lindsey Graham at the Administration of the Government of Georgia within the ongoing visit of the US Senate politicians to Tbilisi.

The bilateral meeting also involved Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mikheil Janelidze, State Minister of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Victor Dolidze and other Georgian officials.

The meeting involved discussion on matters of strategic partnership between US and Georgia. Photo from the Administration of PM of Georgia press office.

The occasion included discussion on matters of relations between the two countries, with with Georgia's PM noting Georgia's commitment to the US-Georgia partnership.

We have always been, and will always be, the most reliable partner of the US in the region," said Kvirikashvili in his comments during the meeting.

The head of the Georgian Government also stressed the importance of the planned visit of the senators to village Khurvaleti near the administrative boundary line (ABL) separating the occupied breakway region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) from Georgian-controlled territory on Monday.

Kvirikashvili said their trip to Khurvaleti was an illustration of US support of Georgia.

The meeting between PM Kvirikashvili and visiting American officials also involved ongoing democratic reforms in Georgia and the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, while the senators stressed their appreciation of Georgia's contribution to the international peacekeeping missions.

Republican Party senator McCain of Arizona, Democratic Party senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Republican Party senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina travelled to Georgia on Sunday following their visit to Ukraine.

The program of their visit in Georgia also includes a meeting with President Giorgi Margvelashvili as well as a visit to the Technology Park innovation centre and the Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (JTEC), a joint NATO-Georgia defence training venue outside capital Tbilisi.

The American officials are expected to conclude their stay in Georgia on Monday.