Georgia-USA deeper cooperation
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, May 11
“We had a very insightful conversation with the Secretary of State, and we discussed every direction of our strategic relationship and prospects of deeper cooperation,” Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated after his meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson late on May 9.
He stressed that the General Security of Information Agreement was signed at the State Department following the meeting.
"It means that under the US-Georgia strategic partnership we agree to ensure secured information exchange, which is indicative of Georgia being a reliable US partner. We have 25 years of important cooperation to back it up. During our meeting with the US State Secretary, we discussed in detail important prospects of deeper economic, defence and security relations, as well as assurances of US support for Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration," the Prime Minister stated.
Tillerson stated that Washington is enhancing its strategic partnership with Georgia.
Tillerson also emphasized that Georgia is an “example” of success in the region, and the country's reforms paved the way for upgrading the political and economic ties between the two nations.
The Government of Georgia announced that the officials discussed defence and security cooperation in detail, with special emphasis being placed on the ongoing developments in the region, as well as security challenges and the importance of joint efforts to tackle them.
The US Secretary of State emphasized that Georgia is one of the largest contributors to international peace missions, for which he thanked the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Tillerson reaffirmed the commitment of the US to continuing its support of Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Kvirikashvili described the situation in Georgia's occupied territories to the US Secretary of State and thanked him for the efforts of the US Administration seeking to ensure the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.
The officials also discussed prospects for deepening Georgia-US trade and economic cooperation and making full use of the existing potential.
The importance of American investments in Georgia's ongoing infrastructural projects and the country's strategic location were also emphasized.
The parties expressed hoped that Georgia will tap into its potential to transform into a main regional hub.
Before the meeting, the Georgian PM met with the US President and Vice President, various senators and other political key figures in the United States.
