Georgia keen on deepening ties with U.S.
By Jamila Babayeva
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili discussed a wide range of issues of the Georgian- American cooperation at a meeting with a group of U.S. senators and congressmen, led by Senator James Inhofe, on January 19.
The sides discussed issues of deepening relations in the sphere of security and anti-terrorist operations.
They noted the importance of a peaceful transfer of power in Georgia, which is a step towards the democratization of the country and strengthening of the rule of law.
The parties emphasized that democratic development of Georgia and its European integration is an irreversible process.
President Margvelashvili stressed that the United States is a strategic partner of Georgia and the country's leadership will do everything to ensure that relations between the two countries raised to a new level.
Margvelashvili noted that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Georgia, which will be held in the first half of 2014, is very important.
The President thanked the U.S. for its support to the territorial integrity of the country, continuous policy of non-recognition of the separatist territories.
The U.S. delegation included Senator John Boozman and congressmen Vern Buchanan, Ender Crenshaw, Ann Kirkpatrick and Steve Pearce, and advisors of several committees of the Senate.
The delegation also held meetings with representatives of the authorities, in particular with prime minister, secretary of the Security Council, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Justice, State Minister for European Integration acting as Chief Prosecutor, members of the parliament and representatives of other institutions.
The two sides discussed a wide range of c issues, cooperation in various fields and the prospects for deepening relations between Georgia and the United States.