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WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday reiterated U.S. call on Russia to end its "occupation" of Georgian territory and withdraw its forces.

"Georgia has taken a constructive approach in our common efforts to address this challenge through the talks in Geneva, we support the objectives of Georgia's State Strategy on Occupied Territories," Clinton told visiting Georgian Prime Minister Nikoloz Gilauri at the State Department. "We are prepared to undertake activities that reinforce these important objectives."

Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war in August 2008, when Georgia used military forces to retake South Ossetia, a breakaway Georgian republic that borders Russia. In response, Moscow sent in troops to drive Georgian forces out of the region.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states on Aug. 26, 2008, two weeks after the conflict ended, prompting Georgia to sever its diplomatic ties with Moscow.

Georgia and the West have condemned Russia's plans for a military presence in Abkhazia, which they consider is sovereign Georgian land. In Oct. 2008, the Geneva talks were initiated, involving Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, the United States as well as the three mediators -- the European Union, the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The 13th round of talks are scheduled for Oct. 14.

In her visit to Georgia in July, Clinton called on Russia to end "the occupation" of Georgia, resulting in angry dismissal as " absolutely baseless" by Russian Foreign Ministry.

"We continue to call on Russia to end its occupation of Georgian territory, withdraw its forces," Clinton told Prime Minister Gilauri and his delegation. "The United States will not waver in its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

She also said that U.S. remains committed to Georgia's aspirations for membership in NATO and continues to support Georgia's efforts on defense reform and improving defense capabilities.