Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations at a meeting in Washington on Wednesday.

According to the Georgian presidential administration, Kerry and Saakashvili stressed the importance of U.S. involvement in the subsequent reform of Georgia and democratic development.

"We are very grateful in the United States for the assistance that Georgia has given us with respect to Afghanistan. Georgia is the largest contributor of troops as a non-NATO country. And they have also made significant commitments with respect to post-2014," Kerry said in remarks for the press before the meeting with President Saakashvili in the U.S. Department of State, the Department of State website said.

Georgia deems accession to NATO as one of the top foreign policy priorities. Soon after the declaration of independence, Georgia joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. Georgia's relations with NATO were established in 1994 when the country joined the Partnership for Peace program (PfP). At the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in 2006 it was decided to launch Intensified Dialogue on Membership Issues with the South Caucasus republic.

Georgia as a significant contributor to Euro-Atlantic security is closely involved in NATO-led operations and its contribution to the NATO-led ISAF operation in Afghanistan is of significant importance.

Secretary Kerry further stressed that the U.S. applauds the democratic transition that has been taking place in Georgia.

"The President engaged in the first peaceful election transfer of power, and I know is committed to continue the work for the democratic aspirations of the Rose Revolution," Kerry said to Saakashvili, whom he regarded as a good friend.

"I know Saakashvili's presidential term is up this fall. I'll be anxious to talk to him about the future," Kerry said. "The democratic transition in Georgia is vital, it's important, and we're grateful to everybody's efforts to keep that on track."

Kerry expressed his personal support to the President of Georgia and the policy which he has pursued in recent years in Georgia. The parties also agreed to continue cooperation in all relevant fields between the two countries within the framework of the Charter on Strategic Partnership.

The U.S. Secretary of State reiterated his unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.

Saakashvili, in turn, reiterated the commitment of Georgia to NATO and noted the support of the United States in this regard. He thanked Kerry for his support during the 2008 war, stressing that the Secretary of State has always been distinguished by his empathy to Georgia.

"We want American support for NATO. We want America's support of further...integration at this very difficult and crucial moment for Georgia's democracy and Georgia's survival," said Saakashvili.

"And certainly we want to see America strong. And I think instrumental in that is having you in this office as well, with your experience, with your international...contacts, because we have admired you for all these years as a senator, a great friend, as a really knowledgeable person on all these matters," said Saakashvili, who thanked Kerry for visiting and supporting Georgia after the August 2008 war with Russia when he was serving as Senator.

It was the first meeting between Saakashvili and Kerry after Kerry took office as Secretary of State in January 2013.

Saakashvili was invited to Dallas, Texas, for the ceremony of opening the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Wednesday; his participation at a forum initiated by Senator John McCain was planned as well.

Saakashvili has already met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the Sedona forum, an annual event organized by the McCain Institute at the Arizona State University named after Republican Senator John McCain, which was held on April 26-28.

Also, Saakashvili met with the author of the so-called Magnitsky Act, U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin, on Thursday, and discussed the issues of international security and Georgia's integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Georgia in 1992 following the republic's independence from the Soviet Union a year earlier. The US assistance in various areas has been increased since the Rose Revolution in November 2003.

Furthermore, the US administration has designed the Millennium Challenge program aimed at investing US capital in the Georgian economy, thus reducing poverty through economic growth. This effort, totaling $295 million, was focused on different projects for rehabilitating regional infrastructure and promoting private sector development.