Georgian PM, US Congressman discusses further deepening of strategic partnership

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Saturday discussed the possibilities of further deepening the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States and the measures needed to be taken in this direction with Eric Swalwell, the United States Congressman.

The conversation touched on Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the “strong support” of the US in this direction, while the sides highlighted the considerable assistance of the US for Georgia’s democratic development, economic prosperity, and strengthening security “since the day of regaining independence”, the Government Administration said.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference, focused on the situation in Georgia’s Russia-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), with the sides stressing the US important role in the process of the conflicts. Georgia's  “exceptional role” in ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus region was, once again, “highly appreciated” by the American side.

The importance of the US legislative body’s support to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries was also emphasised, with the Georgian side noting the “strong” bipartisan support of the US Congress, embodied in “numerous resolutions” and legislative acts in recent years, also expressing hope that Congress support would “actively” continue in the future.

The parties also discussed the need to deepen economic ties between the countries, stressing the importance of the US legislature in this regard.

Garibashvili thanked the American side for maintaining the issue of Georgia on the “high international political agenda” and for its firm support of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in various international and bilateral formats.