Georgian President’s Visit to the US
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili held multiple meetings and gave keynote addresses at several US institutions during his official visit to Washington, DC from March 12th to March 16th. The President’s visit aimed to consolidate support of the United States towards Georgia.
President Margvelashvili held bilateral meetings with US Government officials from the Legislative as well as Administrative Branches. The President met with the House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Co-chairs of the Georgia Caucus Congressman Ted Poe and Congressman Gerry Connolly. During the meetings, President Margvelashvili discussed the security threats that Georgia is facing from Russia and informed the Congressmen of the death of a Georgian citizen in the occupied Tskhinvali Region. Additionally, the President discussed Russia’s aggression and a hybrid war in Georgia. The President also met with the then US National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster. The parties discussed US-Georgia partnership and upcoming NATO Summit.
President Margvelashvili gave several public speeches during the visit to including at the Capitol Building where he was joined by Senator Amy Klobuchar, the Hudson Institute and the Heritage Foundation. President Margvelashvili highlighted the efforts of Georgia against the Russia’s hybrid war, emphasized the importance of robust US-Georgia partnership and Georgia’s contribution to global security architecture.
In his address at the Georgetown University, President Margvelashvili reviewed the achievements and challenges of Georgia throughout the 100 years since the declaration of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918. As part of the panel discussion, President Margvelashvili discussed Russia’s aggression against Georgia, EU-Georgia relations, Georgia’s NATO aspirations, economic development and Georgia’s relations with neighboring states. The President described Georgia as a European country, which holds enormous ambitions to become part of NATO and the EU.
During his visit, President Margvelashvili granted honorary citizenship of Georgia to Kenneth Wollack, the President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for his longstanding support and alliance to Georgia. On the occasion, the former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright addressed the guests of the Embassy and highlighted the importance of the democratic achievements of Georgia and continuous close cooperation between our nations.
President Margvelashvili also met the representatives of Georgian diaspora residing in Washington DC area. The Embassy of Georgia featured an exhibition on the anniversary of 100 years of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.