Georgia owes its statehood to U.S.

12:46, 31.07.2017 1 min read

The financial and political assistance provided by the United States is the main factor in building Georgia's statehood, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze said.

"U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's visit [to Tbilisi] confirms that Georgia is a loyal ally and strategic partner of the U.S.," Janelidze said. "This is evident from the vice president's statement that the Baltic countries, Georgia and Montenegro are the U.S.' allies in Eastern Europe and that America has been standing and is standing by these countries to protect freedom," Janelidze said at a news briefing on Monday.

Over the 25 years since Georgia and the U.S. established diplomatic relations, "the U.S.' financial and political help has been decisive for forming and preserving Georgia's statehood," he said.

Georgia actively cooperates with the U.S. in bolstering its defense capability, Janelidze said.

"We hope for deeper economic cooperation with the U.S. We welcome the interest of American companies in Georgia," he said.

Pence is to arrive in Tbilisi for a two-day visit on Monday afternoon.