US Acting Assistant Secretary Reeker visits Tbilisi
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, June 8
The United States Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker is paying a visit to Georgia. According to him, his official visit aims to ensure the further development of Georgia as a safe and democratic country.
Reeker met with the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili. The sides discussed the post-Covid 19 support of the US, where it was underlined that Georgia will be given a priority in the Vaccine Sharing Plan as designed and developed by the White House. Officials focused on regional challenges and the role to be played by Georgia in the context of regional security. Reeker affirmed the USA’s total support to Georgia in this regard. The past and current democracy reforms of the country were reviewed as well.
Reeker praised Georgia’s progress towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The meeting underlined the importance of maintaining Georgia at leading positions in the agenda of US relations with Russia. It was noted that support towards sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia would be in focus at the upcoming meeting between US and Russian presidents. As the government of Georgia press office reports, the significance of the April 19 EU-mediated agreement and its implementation was reviewed as well.
“We had a great meeting with Assistant Secretary Reeker. This visit is a clear demonstration of the US increasing interest and engagement in the South Caucasus region,” Georgian PM wrote on Twitter after the meeting.
Reeker announced at a joint press conference with PM Garibashvili that Georgia remains the key strategic partner to the US in the South Caucasus and a crucial partner in the Black Sea region. Acting Assistance Secretary also stressed that Georgia is a very strong partner of NATO and one of the biggest contributors as an aspirant country. He stressed that the April 19 agreement provides opportunities to further strengthen institutions, which would be another step taken towards NATO integration. In addition, Reeker noted that implementing the reforms envisaged by the agreement will help Georgia become more attractive to international trade and investors.
It was also noted that Georgia, Ukraine, and Kosovo are the first three European countries to receive vaccines from the United States, based on regional priorities and partnerships. According to the US Embassy in Georgia, President Biden announced this week that the United States would share COVID-19 vaccines with Georgia.
Earlier yesterday, Reeker held a meeting with Georgian NGOs and discussed the issues related to the EU-mediated agreement.
Within the framework of his visit, Reeker will meet with civic society representatives and opposition party members.
