Georgia-U.S. relations entering new stage
By Jamila Babayeva
Georgia is entering a new stage of relations with the U.S, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told media after a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden.
Garibashvili is on an official visit to the U.S.
A meeting between Obama and Garibashvili was unplanned. It took place when President Obama joined the conversation between Garibashvili and Biden at the White House.
"Our government was fully supported by the U.S president and vice-president," Garibashvili said. "I also received confirmation that the U.S. is ready to strengthen and intensify the relations with Georgia in the trade and economic fields."
The Prime Minister appraised the meeting as positive and fruitful.
"I want to emphasize that Georgia and the U.S are strategic partners," he said. "We will fully contribute to intensify these relations."
The U.S reaffirmed its support for Georgia's aspiration to join NATO and preserve its territorial integrity ,the White House's official statement says.
Obama and Biden congratulated Georgian Prime Minister on a peaceful, democratic transfer of power in the country.
They also expressed gratitude to Georgia as this country is a reliable partner of the United States. In particular, the U.S. president expressed his appreciation for the contribution made by Georgia in the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
"The president and vice president reaffirmed their support for Georgia's independence and its territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders," the statement further says. "They also assured Georgian Prime Minister that the U.S. supports the Georgian people's desire to join NATO and promised to continue assisting in the implementation of reforms in Georgia."
Diplomatic relations between Georgia and the U. S. were established on April 23, 1992.