U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton will visit Georgia on June 5 as part of her week-long trip to seven countries in Europe also including visits to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey from May 31 to June 7.
“The Secretary will travel to the Caucasus from June 4 to 7. In all these countries, she will discuss important issues of regional security, democracy, economic development and counterterrorism,” the Department of State said on Friday.
On June 5 Clinton will open the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission plenary session in Georgia’s Black Sea resort Batumi.
“She will meet also with President Saakashvili and hold discussions with a broad range of political actors and civil society representatives,” the Department of State said.
In congratulation message on Georgia’s Independence Day, marked on May 26, Clinton says that in a few days she will have a chance to visit Batumi “to experience the warmth of the Georgian people and reaffirm our commitment to Georgia’s future.”
“This year marks the twentieth anniversary of U.S.-Georgian bilateral relations. Since regaining its independence, Georgia has made impressive progress fighting corruption, developing modern state institutions, and enhancing global security,” Clinton says.
“The United States is committed to helping Georgia deepen Euro-Atlantic ties and strengthen the institutions of your democracy, and we remain steadfast in support of Georgia’s territorial integrity. We stood with the Georgian people 20 years ago at the dawn of your renewed independence, and we stand with you today. As you celebrate this special day, we look forward to working with the Georgian government and people to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.”
She will arrive in Georgia from Armenia and will then travel to Azerbaijan on June 6 and to Turkey on June 7 where she will co-chair the Global Counterterrorism Forum Ministerial in Istanbul.