President of Georgia holds meetings in America
By Tea Mariamidze
Friday, April 1
Within the frames of his working visit President Giorgi Margvelashvili met with the Rumsfeld Foundation President and former US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and young political leaders.
Georgian-US bilateral relations and recent regional developments were the main issues discussed at the meeting.
President Margvelashvili spoke about the role of Georgia as a regional hub, which will link the East and West.
“Georgia is trying to develop a bridge between the East and West, which provides the entire region's economic, energy, cultural and security relations," noted the Georgian President, and added that Georgia is developing close ties with neighbouring countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey.
According to Donald Rumsfeld, Georgia is on the right path towards Euro-Atlantic principles. He noted that the Alliance considers Georgia an important partner.
“Many countries observe Georgia’s progress and it is an example in the region,” underlined Rumsfeld.
Giorgi Margvelashvili also met with the President of McCain University and US former ambassador to NATO, Kurt Walker.
The main topic of the meeting was relations with Russia, security issues, the situation in the region and NATO-Georgia relations.
The President also delivered a speech at the Atlantic Council and underlined that Georgia is trying to show that the solution to many issues is possible through close partnership and cooperation with Europe and America.
“My people have clearly chosen their own way, their own values and vision, which are linked to the Euro-Atlantic and European principles,” said Margvelashvili.
The Georgian President will also take part in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. Afterwards, he will attend a special reception at the White House with US President Barack Obama and other leaders, after which he will address the summit participants.
The Nuclear Security Summit will be attended by representatives from 52 countries, including Japan, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UK, Germany and Poland. Leaders of international organizations such as Interpol, the United Nations, the European Union and the International Atomic Energy Agency will also participate in the event. The summit will be opened by US President Barack Obama.
