Georgia’s US Ambassador, State Department official review cooperation, security matters
In his turn, Bono reiterated the “unwavering support” of the United States for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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The “difficult” situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia amid the war in Ukraine and the security situation in the Black Sea region were discussed on Monday in a meeting between David Zalkaliani, the Georgian Ambassador to the United States and Louis Bono, the Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations of the US Department of State.
Zalkaliani noted the importance of peaceful resolution of conflicts on the territory of Georgia and highlighted the “key role” of the Geneva International Discussions in the process, the Georgian foreign office said.
In his turn, Bono reiterated the “unwavering support” of the United States for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The officials also reviewed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili's Peaceful Neighbourhood Initiative for the South Caucasus region and emphasised the importance of “effectively” implementing it with US engagement.
Zalkaliani also highlighted the “critical” role of Georgia in regional connectivity projects and noted the significance of the Black Sea submarine cable project - signed between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania in December and intended to connect power systems of the South Caucasus and Europe - in this context.
Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday said Georgia had “done many things” in support of Ukraine in the ongoing Russian invasion of the country, particularly noting the humanitarian dimension of the assistance provided by Georgian authorities.
Karen Donfried, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, on Thursday said her Government continued to stand with Georgia and would protect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders.
United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Wednesday said the US had been one of Georgia’s most “steadfast supporters” in the effort to help establish “stable democracy” over the past 30 years.
Philip Reeker, the senior adviser of the United States department of state for Caucasus negotiations, on Thursday said Georgia's role was “critically important” for regional peace, stability and interconnectivity.
The situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions, UN Representative Cihan Sultanoğlu, EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar and Siegfried Woeber, the senior political officer from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center.
Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday said the Georgian Government had complied with financial sanctions imposed by the international community on Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine “from the very beginning”.
Strategic cooperation between Georgia and the United States in defence and security was discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and his American counterpart Lloyd Austin.
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday said his country “deeply appreciated” Georgia's “outsized effect” on security and stability in the South Caucasus region and around the world.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Thursday hailed the country’s strategic partnership with the United States as “essential for Georgia's defence, deterrence and peaceful and stable development”.