Ambassador Degnan: Secretary Pompeo’s visit demonstrates strong US support to Georgia

During his visit to Tbilisi US Secretary Mike Pompeo expressed confidence that the US-Georgian relationship is firmly grounded by the shared values and unwavering commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Photo: AP

Agenda.ge, 19 Nov 2020 - 22:58, Tbilisi,Georgia

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'.

Secretary Pompeo came to Tbilisi to demonstrate the United States’ strong support for Georgia’s choice to deepen its Euro-Atlantic ties, and to reaffirm our unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression”, Kelly Degnan said.

Ambassador Degnan further noted that during the visit, the US Secretary ‘emphasised the importance of our shared democratic values’:

independence
respect
tolerance
freedom

She said that Secretary Pompeo also ‘encouraged Georgia to continue to strengthen its democratic institutions and processes, and take on the critically important work of electoral reform and judicial reform’.

Ambassador Degnan reviews the visit of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo:

Noting that the US has ‘a robust bilateral agenda’ with Georgia, Kelly Degnan said Secretary Pompeo discussed ‘a range of issues in productive meetings’ with President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.

These issues included ‘Georgia’s fight against corruption, efforts to stimulate economic growth and build modern state institutions, and our partnership in enhancing global security’.

We stand ready to support our friend as Georgia continues its efforts to deepen its Euro-Atlantic ties, stimulate its economy, and contribute to the security and stability of the region and beyond”, Ambassador Degnan said in her video address.

Mike Pompeo paid his first visit to Georgia on November 17-18 as the US Secretary of State. Having met with Georgian state officials and civil society Pompeo said he had ‘productive conversations’ in Tbilisi.