Georgian PM to Pompeo: it’s time to further strengthen US-Georgia partnership, US representation in region
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has met with US State Secretary Mike Pompeo in Tbilisi earlier today. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and US State Secretary Mike Pompeo met earlier today in Tbilisi, where Gakharia told Pompeo that “it is the moment to further strengthen US-Georgia cooperation and partnership and US representation in the region.”
During the meeting at the administration building of the government of Georgia in central Tbilisi Gakharia called Pompeo and the US ‘real friends and allies.’
We are very thankful to you personally and the US for the support of the strategic partnership. It is the most important partnership we have,” Gakharia said.
Productive meeting w/@SecPompeo covering the Russian occupation, regional geopolitics, Black Sea security, & trade & investments. ???????? is ????????'s premier strategic partner in strengthening democracy & rule of law. ????????????????relations have never been more dynamic & will continue to flourish. pic.twitter.com/Mx9RqAkbJE
— Giorgi Gakharia (@GakhariaGiorgi) November 18, 2020
Gakharia thanked Pompeo for visiting the country amid the pandemic and for US support in the fight against coronavirus.
You know that the (US-built) Lugar Centre plays a key role in the fight against the virus,” Gakharia said.
He also thanked the US and the American people ‘for their continued support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.’
The issue is of top importance for us, for the country whose territories are occupied, with occupied forces present on our lands,” Gakharia told Pompeo.
Great to meet with Prime Minister @GakhariaGiorgi and Foreign Minister @DZalkaliani to discuss the importance of holding free, fair, and transparent elections in Georgia. I reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty in the face of Russian occupation. pic.twitter.com/jg3IeNFA4w
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 18, 2020
He stated that the US-Georgia strategic partnership is based on ‘common values - freedom, democracy and common, geostrategic interests.’
Pompeo told Gakharia that ‘we will cope with the virus together, care about people and help the economy which is very important for the welfare of your country, region and the world.’
Pompeo stated that the US and Georgia ‘have been very good friends for 30 years,’ and that his administration has written down all the aspects Gakharia mentioned during the meeting.
Pompeo said that the US is supporting Georgia to strengthen its democracy and ‘we are working together on the occupation issues.’
He stated that the US ‘will do its best in the future’ to support the country’s democratic development, to strength state institutions and for free and fair elections.’
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani says that the visit of US State Secretary Mike Pompeo in Georgia is ‘very important which will bring substantial results.’
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo has met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in Tbilisi earlier today, where he reaffirmed US commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and commended the country for its ‘significant contributions’ to the fight against global terrorism, the US Embassy to Georgia has reported. The meeting took place in the Orbeliani presidential palace in central Tbilisi.
"Thrilled to be in Tbilisi", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter after arriving in Georgia earlier today. "The United States and Georgia have a strong relationship built upon our shared commitment to freedom and independence. We are committed to helping Georgia deepen its Euro-Atlantic ties and strengthen its democratic institutions", he stated.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry says that the visit of US State Secretary Mike Pompeo to Georgia later today ‘once again points to the firmness of the US-Georgia strategic partnership and reaffirms the commitment of the two countries to strengthen their cooperation.’ The ministry stated earlier today that the visit is yet more evidence that the United States ‘remains strongly committed to supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’, as well as the country’s ‘continuous democratic development and European and Euro-Atlantic integration’.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili welcomes the upcoming visit of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo next week. Zurabishvili wrote on Twitter that the support from the US as ‘a strategic partner’ is important for the ‘democratic development and for peace and stability in the region’.
The US Department of State has released a long statement by its two senior officials (who have not been identified) earlier today, following the visit of US state Secretary Mike Pompeo to Georgia.
Over 20 opposition parties have released a statement amid the US State Secretary’s visit to Georgia. Opposition parties express their concern to ruling Georgian Dream party chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili’s behavior as they note that Russia fights against the sovereignty of free countries with the erosion of the democratic system.
Opposition parties which have refused to enter the parliament following the October 31 elections have held a rally in the centre of Tbilisi amid US State Secretary Mike Pompeo’s visit to Georgia earlier today.
The US Department of State says that during his visit to Georgia State Secretary Mike Pompeo reiterated ‘unwavering US support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian occupation’.“Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi, Georgia. Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Gakharia discussed the importance of free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections and the essential role of an independent judiciary in a democracy,” said the Department of State press office.
United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said in a video address earlier today that the embassy was ‘proud to welcome’ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Georgia. She said Secretary and Mrs. Pompeo’s visit is 'a reaffirmation of the close, strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia'.
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo has tweeted that he was pleased to visit Tbilisi and Jerusalem for productive meetings.