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Georgia and US sign General Security of Information Agreement

Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Rex Tillerson sign a US-Georgia General Security of Information Agreement on Tuesday morning at the US Department of State. Photo: Department of State/Twitter
Agenda.ge, 10 May 2017 - 11:08, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have signed a US-Georgia General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) on Tuesday morning at the US Department of State.

The agreement represents a major milestone in security cooperation between the United States and Georgia, the Department of State said in a press release.

The GSOIA establishes a legal foundation for bilateral intelligence sharing and will strengthen counterterrorism cooperation between Georgia and the US. This agreement will also enhance the Georgian military’s interoperability with the armed services of NATO member states.

The GSOIA supports Georgia’s efforts to transform its military and paves the way for future security agreements between the US and Georgia.

After signing the agreement, Secretary Tillerson and Prime Minister Kvirikashvili met to discuss the strong US-Georgia partnership, noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Secretary Tillerson thanked the Prime Minister for Georgia’s contributions to global security and commended the significant reform progress the country has made since independence.

He reaffirmed US support for continued progress toward Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration.

Tillerson also reiterated the steadfast commitment of the US to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

The leaders agreed to continue efforts to ensure Georgia’s security and prosperity.

"We had a very insightful conversation with the State Secretary, and we discussed every direction of our strategic relationship and prospects of deeper cooperation”, Kvirikashvili said following the meeting.

As part of his three-day US visit, Kvirikashvili also met with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker and Armed Services Committee member Tom Cotton.

Earlier Kvirikashvili met with US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other Senators.