U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has expressed support for the territorial integrity of Georgia, during her visit to Tbilisi, and urged Russia to commit to the August 2008 ceasefire agreement.
Clinton arrived in Georgia from Armenia as part of her regional tour, and is scheduled to meet Georgian President, Mikheil Saakashvili , and other officials, on June 5, as well as representatives of the Georgian opposition. Speaking on Tuesday at a meeting of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission in Batumi, she reaffirmed U.S. support for Georgian territorial integrity.
“United Sates remains steadfast in our support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the U.S. Secretary of State, who also called upon Russia to commit to the 2008 cease-fire agreement.
“We … call on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 cease-fire agreement, including withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions and free access for humanitarian assistance,”
Clinton co-chaired the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission with Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri. The commission meeting is held as part of the Charter on Strategic Partnership signed between Georgia and the United States in January 2009.
Gilauri thanked the U.S. for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
“We believe that the international community will spare no effort to restore justice with peaceful means,” Gilauri said adding that currently 20 percent of Georgian territory is occupied.
Georgia considers the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to be "occupied" after they were recognized as independent by Russia after Georgian aggression in August 2008, which sparked a military confrontation between the two nations.
During her visit to Batumi the U.S. Secretary of State attended the official handover ceremony for two new Georgian coast guard patrol boats.
“All of this is part of our broader effort to help Georgia secure your borders and defend your sovereignty,” Clinton said.
She said the U.S. will increase military equipment assistance to Georgia.
“A strong Georgian coast guard will contribute to maritime security in the Black Sea, and broader regional stability. Along with more effective border security on land, it will help crack down on the illicit flow of narcotics, human trafficking and potential weapons of mass destructions. That’s vitally important for Georgia, for the region and the world… This ship and its sister ships represent the resilience of Georgia’s national spirit and the endurance of your sovereignty,” Clinton said.
After departing Batumi Mrs Clinton will head to the Azerbaijan capital, Baku.
