US official Gordon supports 'coexistence' of Georgian president and govt
By Sabina Idayatova
US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon is interested in
normal relations between the Georgian president and government,
Georgian Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili said after a meeting
with the visiting State Department official.
The meeting was held behind closed doors at Tbilisi Marriott hotel and was attended by US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland and Chair of the parliamentary foreign relations committee Tedo Japaridze.
During the meeting the parties discussed the handover of power and recent events in Georgia as well as the relations between Georgia and the United States.
"I am glad that even in such a complicated and critical situation, there is democratic transformation in Georgia. I am sure that in the future the U.S. will continue to support Georgia," Gordon said at a press conference.
Usupashvili in turn said, "We had a very warm and friendly meeting...This was our first meeting after the Georgian parliamentary elections...Gordon was particularly interested in how the president and government coexist."
The October 1 election in Georgia, won by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili's opposition coalition Georgian Dream, was followed by the formation of a new cabinet in which Ivanishvili now serves as prime minister.
The Georgian speaker said it is no longer necessary for Georgian Dream to make clarifications on its foreign policy, because this course is unambiguously clear for all -- toward integration into NATO and the European Union.
Assistant Secretary Gordon is paying a three-day visit in Georgia. He is due to hold talks with other senior officials in Tbilisi, including representatives of the parliamentary minority, representatives of the National Security Council and its secretary Giga Bokeria as well as Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Gordon's visit will emphasize the United States' continued commitment to the U.S.-Georgia relationship, as demonstrated through its democratic and economic reform assistance, and steadfast support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, the Department of State said earlier this week.