Saakashvili meets with US Vice President in Italy
By Etuna Tsotniashvili
Friday, June 3
In a released statement, the White House said that Biden and Saakashvili discussed a shared interest in security, democracy and prosperity in Georgia
“Vice President Biden reiterated the United States’ support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Vice President expressed his appreciation to President Saakashvili for Georgia's significant new contribution of forces to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, which will make Georgia the largest non-NATO contributor to ISAF,” the White House said.
The Vice President of the United States expressed his appreciation to President Saakashvili for Georgia's significant contribution of forces to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The sides stressed their commitment on security issues. Talks concerned the occupied territories by Russia and threats coming from these territories. The issue of Russia's candidacy in WTO was discussed as well. The Vice President also expressed support for the Swiss-mediated talks between Georgia and Russia. As he said Russia must resolve this issue by agreeing with Georgia. Vice President Biden expressed his full support to Georgia's political course and reforms.
Giga Bokeria, the secretary of Georgian National Security Council, said in an interview with Georgian TV companies that “it was a very warm meeting.”
“The Vice President of the United States has a special interest towards Georgia and it shows relations between two states. It was a warm meeting where every important topic was discussed in very details,” Bokeria said.
“Our positions fully coincide with each other. Mr. Biden has expressed full support towards the reforms carried out in country,” Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Tornike Gordadze said. “During the talks Russia’s WTO membership issue was also discussed and stressed his and President Obama’s position that Russia should agree this issue with Georgia and that there will be no pressure on Georgia from outside, whether from the US or any other countries, over this issue,” Gordadze said.
The President of Georgia is visiting Rome on the invitation of the President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano to attend events dedicated to the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.
For the first time in 2011, Georgian soldiers participated in the military parade. Along with 50 other world leaders the president of Georgia was also attending the event.