Messages from Pence

We appreciate Georgian-American relations, which have been developing throughout the last 25 years. Georgia is our most important strategic partner. We respect its territorial integrity and aspiration to join NATO, - Mike Pence, the Vice-President of the United States, said during his two-day visit to Georgia on August 1.

The PM’s Press Office reports that during the VP’s visit with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, both sides discussed key issues of the Georgia-US strategic partnership. The meeting was focused on defense and security and the United States' role in developing the Georgian Armed Forces and enhancing Georgia's defense capabilities.

The importance of NATO-backed military drills in Georgia, Noble Partner, underway in Georgia until August 12, and its role in the strengthening of security, stability and peace in the region was also acknowledged.

“You stand shoulder in shoulder with our security, you stand together for the liberty of our people, this is why you are noble and your partnership is vital for our common welfare,” President Margvelashvili said in his speech to participants of the multinational military exercise the same day.

“Freedom is of the highest value for Georgians and for Americans, their dedication to liberty unifies both nations. Our countries are strategic partners, sharing common values and goals,” he noted, underlining that the US Government's assistance to Georgia is crucial. “Not too far away, wire fences exist, depriving the citizens of Georgia the right of free movement. 20 percent of the country is occupied by Russia because Georgia decided to be a free and independent nation”.

“My country, as a European nation, creates great opportunities for further strengthening ties between both East and West, but to do so our freedom has to be secured, therefore, today, we need a firm call to tear down those walls,” Margvelashvili said.

Mike Pence in turn said it was an honor for him to address the men and women of exercise Nobel Partner.

“I bring greetings from the leader of the free world, President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. The President sent me here, to this place and at this time, simply to thank you all for serving your nations,” he said, adding that the US and Georgia are bound together by an abiding friendship and by a shared commitment to defend freedom.

"Georgia has been a strategic partner of the United States for years. Thousands of Georgian servicemen served with dignity together with the Americans in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq. Georgia has sent more military personnel per capita than any other country worldwide,” the Vice-President stated, recalling the 31 Georgian soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in the struggle for freedom.

Kvirikashvili later stated that, with the help of the US, today Georgia has moved on from its Soviet past.

“Today, we are a European democracy associated with the EU, and we are proud to stand by the Americans in the fight for global security, and make our contribution to regional stability,” he stated, adding that Georgia is ready for high-level trade and investment relations with the United States, based on bilateral economic benefits.

“The US companies’ cooperation with the Anaklia Deep Sea port once again confirms the growing interest in American business as well as the great potential for transforming our country into a regional hub,” he added.

Mike Pence thanked Georgia for its hospitality and warm welcome, and noted that he is impressed with Georgian traditions, cuisine and folklore.

“Georgia is at the crossroads of civilizations and nations. For millennia, this country has created richer traditions, has its own language, originality…The US is ready to deepen relations with Georgia,” he confirmed.

“I would like to once again emphasize Donald Trump's words: we are with you, we continue our alliance, Georgia's future is connected to the West,” he reiterated.

According to Pence, Donald Trump's administration will always give a strict response to those countries that try to undermine Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He also stated that the US and Georgia will intensify their economic relations.

“We will work in the business field and strengthen our business relationships. The ongoing reforms in Georgia clearly demonstrate [Georgia’s] commitment to the strengthening of business relations with the West,” he added.

During his visit, VP Pence also met with members of the political opposition.

“We talked about the processes that are currently ongoing in our country, the constitutional and election reform, issues related to the freedom of speech and Rustavi 2,” David Bakradze, leader of the European Georgia party, said. “Our position and the position of our American partners coincides fully: that a democratic Georgia is a country which can expect maximum support, that will find itself in the Euro-Atlantic area and NATO, and which will be able to defend itself from Russian aggression,” he noted.

Shalva Shavgulidze, leader of the Free Democrats, spoke about the informal governance threats and the problems of democratic development in the country.

“It was a very interesting meeting, more productive than I expected,” Nika Melia, Leader of the UNM, said. “The US Vice President’s visit to Georgia demonstrates that both the US administration and the Vice President himself support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Georgia. We discussed numerous topics during the meeting: the necessary constitutional changes and political, social and economic security, which is the cornerstone of the country’s development,” Melia said. He also mentioned that he spoke about Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili, but stated that he didn’t want to disclose any details.

VP Mike Pence also met the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II in Sioni Cathedral, after which he and his delegation left Georgia for Montenegro.

Thea Morrison & Nino Gugunishvili