Secretary Pompeo praises Georgia after meeting PM Bakhtadze
By Tea Mariamidze
Thursday, June 13
The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Georgia after meeting the Prime Minister of the country, Mamuka Bakhtadze during his official visit to the US on June 5-14, saying Georgia is an “important strategic partner for the United States, and a contributor to global security.”
At the joint press-conference with Bakhtadze on June 11, Pompeo said Georgia is home to an ancient culture and proud people.
“Its history has played out against an incredible backdrop – the tall peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and the shores of the Black Sea. In the center of its capital city, Tbilisi, is the statue of St. George famously slaying the dragon. The monument shows who Georgians truly are: fearless and undaunted,” he noted.
The US Secretary-General also spoke about Georgia’s role to global security, emphasizing Georgia’s leadership role as an aspiring NATO ally.
“President Trump has called for all nations to do more to resolve global challenges, and Georgia is doing just that in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan…Even as we speak, 32 brave Georgian soldiers know that they have given their all while serving alongside Americans there, and 870 Georgian soldiers serve in support of NATO’s mission there,” he noted.
Pompeo added beyond Afghanistan, Georgia is working to make sure its forces can integrate seamlessly with NATO’s.
“Further progress on that score will serve our strategic purposes as well, as the Alliance continues its cooperation with Georgia in the Black Sea region,” he said, adding the US supports Georgia’s aspirations towards the alliance membership.
The Secretary-General stressed Russia’s belligerence is just one reason the US is proud of the military to support to the Georgia Defense Readiness Program, adding the US is helping train and equip a self-sufficient force that will ensure Georgia’s territorial defense.
“And this in turn, too, will provide greater security for the region as a whole – which is good for Georgia, good for the United States, and good for the entire world. It’s important that everyone recognize, too, that our relationship goes much deeper than this through these security issues. In our conversation today, I encouraged Georgia’s ongoing effort to improve its judicial system, and to make sure its democracy includes free and fair elections,” he added.
Pompeo outlined that Georgia’s growth as a free nation after nearly a century of Soviet communism proves it’s on the right track.
“We’re proud to be a good partner for them,” he said.
PM Bakhtadze thanked the Secretary-General for a warm welcome and spoke about the US assistance towards the country after Russia invaded and occupied Georgia in 2008.
“Since that crisis, Georgia and the US created a platform for rebuilding Georgia, strengthening institutions, developing democracy and the rule of law, and increasing military cooperation and people-to-people contacts between our nations,” he said.
The PM said Georgia’s many accomplishments are a direct result of the success of US-Georgia Strategic Partnership, adding the sides celebrate 10 years after it was launched. “Over the last decade, we have developed dynamic, comprehensive cooperation with the United States and our ties have grown to an all-time high under President Trump’s administration,” he said.
Bakhtadze said the level of security coordination between the US and Georgia has never been stronger. Georgia is America’s loyal partner in the global stage.
“Our friendship is time-tested, and our bonds are forged in combat. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the US and NATO allies in Afghanistan, where Georgia is one of the largest troop contributors to the Resolute Support Mission,” he noted.
According to the PM, Georgia, with its expanded interoperability with NATO and defense spending – 2 percent of our GDP – has all the practical tools to prepare for membership of the North Atlantic Alliance.
“In response to continuous occupation and the grave humanitarian and security situation in the Russian-occupied regions, we made – we remain committed to peaceful conflict resolution,” he stressed.
Bakhtadze pointed out that today, Georgia has a stable democracy with strong state institutions, with a growing and attractive economy and vibrant civil society. He said Georgia provides a unique gateway where American companies can conveniently and quickly reach European and Asian growth markets and expressed hope that the strategic partnership with the United States will lead the sides to a unique model of trade cooperation.
“Georgia is open for business, and we welcome our American friends to see the opportunities that exist in Georgia. We want more investment, more trade, and more of the US in Georgia,” he added.
Within his visit to the US, Bakhtadze also met the President of the International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA), Senator Lindsey Graham, Chair of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and opened the 10th anniversary plenary of US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission and issued a joint declaration, marking the anniversary.
