To be honest with you, I rarely attend National Days. Over the last 15 months since I was appointed to office, I have attended such events only three times in total. Therefore, when I do attend a celebration marking a National Day, it is, in fact, a more symbolic attendance, and it symbolizes our desire to warm up relations. Such a statement the US Deputy Secretary of State made at the event dedicated to Georgia’s Independence Day.

As Christopher Landau noted, this is a good opportunity to restore the existing relations between the United States and Georgia.

“I think our peoples share many things in common; for instance, a sense of dignity, national pride, and, as you noted, a belief in the country’s sovereignty. It is unfortunate that in recent years relations between our two countries have not been as close as I would like, given all the bonding elements that connect our nations.

To be honest with you, I rarely attend National Days. Over the last 15 months since I was appointed to office, I have attended such events only three times in total.

Therefore, when I do attend a celebration marking a National Day, it is, in fact, a more symbolic attendance, and it symbolizes our desire to warm up relations. I appreciate your speeches, the words with which you extend a hand of friendship; and I am here to greet you and shake that hand. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity to begin restoring the relations between our countries. As the Deputy Minister rightly pointed out, both Georgia and the United States wish to pursue a foreign policy based on national interests.

I believe we share many common national interests. Georgia has an incredibly strategic geographical location in the Caucasus region, especially against the backdrop of the recent peace agreement reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

I think, from the perspective of regional integration, this has created new economic opportunities. I have also been to Central Asia. I believe there are many opportunities there, considering the trade route stretching from India to Central Asia, passing through the Caucasus, and connecting to Europe via the Black Sea”, - said Christopher Landau.