Chronology of Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations with the United States of America were established on April 23, 1992

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors of Georgia to the United States of America:

Temuri Yakobashvili (January 2011 - present)

Batu Kutelia (March 2009 -December 2010)

Vasil Sikharulidze (February 2006 - December 2008),

Levan Mikeladze (June 2002 - January 2006),

Tedo Japaridze (July 1994 - March 2002),

Zurab Chkheidze (August 1993 - July 1994).

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors of the United States of America to Georgia:

Richard Norland (August 2012 - present)

John Bass (October 2009 - July 2012)

John Teft (August 2005 - August 2009),

Richard Miles (May 2002 - August 2005),

Kenneth Yalowitz (July 1998 - June 2001),

William Courtney (September 1995 - August 1997),

Kent Brown (September 1992 - August 1995).

Honorary Consul of Georgia to the United States of America:

Mr. Frank Paul Greinke - Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego districts (California)

Mr. David Shimp - State of North Carolina

Mr. John Everet Hall - State of Georgia 

Fields of Cooperation

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the newly independent Georgia, the US has provided immense political, military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Georgia. The United States has become one of the main international guarantors of Georgia's sovereignty. The US reiterated strong support of the territorial integrity of Georgia and its Euro Atlantic integration.

On 9 January 2009 in Washington DC the Charter on Strategic Partnership between Georgia and the United States was signed. The Charter is based on the principles of Strategic cooperation between the two states and support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and the strengthening of democracy and stability. It represents a very important framework for the enhancement of cooperation in the spheres of security and defense, economy and trade, energy, culture and education, as well as for the strengthening of democratic institutions and extension of people to people contacts.

Four meetings of the security, democracy, people to people and economy/energy working groups in the framework of the US-Georgia Charter were held to date.

Defense and Security (counter-terrorism) Cooperation

The most important episode of the US-Georgian military and political cooperation was implementation of Georgia Train and Equip Program (GTEP), followed by the Sustainment and Stability Operations Program (SSOP) in 2005, also, Military Education Programs, U.S. Experts' assessment visits etc. All these programs were fully financed and supervised by the US, aimed at enhancing Georgia's military capabilities, stimulating military reform and raising the level of professional military education. Three Georgian brigades trained under the Georgia Train and Equip Program (GTEP) and the Sustainment and Stability Operations Program (SSOP) fulfilled their mission in Iraq in 2003-2008 under the command of the US Armed Forces. Also, from March 2010 one Georgian infantry battalion participates in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Forces) Operation in Afghanistan under the US Marine Corps, contributing to the insuring international security.

Economic Cooperation

Trade flow with the USA, 2000 - 2009 (in million USD)

GSP mode applies to a wide spectrum of agricultural products exported from Georgia to the USA that gives the possibility of application of the favorable customs duties to the Georgian products.

The US Foreign Direct Investment in Georgia in 2004-2009 amounted to 445 mln. USD that constitutes 6,9% of total Foreign Direct Investments in Georgia. 

Assistance Programs

The US assistance in various spheres have been increased since the Rose Revolution in November 2003, when the people of Georgia manifested to the international community its true desire to build a state based on the principles of democracy, market economy and the rule-of-law.

The US administration has designed a Millennium Challenge Program aimed at investing American capital in the Georgian economy.  Georgia was one of the first countries to sign a compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation over five-year period in September 2005. This compact totaling $295 million is focused on different projects for rehabilitating regional infrastructure and promoting private sector development.

Following the Russian aggression, 1 bln. USD assistance was pledged by the US Government to Georgia for the economic recovery. The two-year assistance package will be used to finance actions aimed at humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons, promoting democratic reforms and rule of law, stimulating economic growth and rebuilding the infrastructure.

Energy Cooperation

Energy cooperation is one of the main pillars of Georgia-US bilateral relations. The US is deeply interested in diversification of the world energy markets and continuously supports projects in this regard. Georgia is viewed as a favorable transit country for the Caspian oil and gas resources.

On February 25, 2010 the Assistance Agreement was signed between Georgia and the USA. According to agreement, 122,500,000 USD as part of the 1 billion USD pledge, will be invested in the development of the Georgian energy sector and infrastructure. 

US Government supports various academic and professional programs in Georgia (Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), Fulbright Program, Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD), Legislative Fellows Program(LFP)) etc.

 Legal Framework

• Joint Declaration on Relations between Georgia and the USA (1992);
• Agreement on Promotion of Investments between the Government of the Republic of Georgia and the Government of the USA (1992);
• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Georgia and the Government of the USA on Cooperation, Supporting Humanitarian and Technical Economic Assistance (1992);
• Joint Declaration on Relations between Georgia and the USA (1994);
• Agreement between Georgia and the USA on Cooperation in the field of Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and on Expanding Defense and Military Relations (1997);
• Agreement between Georgia State Department of Boarder Security and the US Department of Defense on Assistance in Creating Export Control System in Georgia for Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (2001);
• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Georgia and the Government of the USA on Cooperation in the Field of Strengthening the Rule of Law (2001);
• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Georgia and the Government of the USA on the Peace Corps Program in Georgia (2001);
• Agreement between Georgia and the USA on Caucasus Regional Environment Protection Center (2000);
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the USA (2001);
• Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the USA on Cooperation in Defense Sphere (2002);
• Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of Georgia and the Department of Defense of USA on Cooperation in the field of Prevention of Developing of Biological Weapon Technologies, Pathogens and Spreading Information (2002);
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the USA (2003);
• Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the USA on Program "Food-stuffs for Progress" accordingly transferring Agricultural goods free of charge (2004);
• Open Skies Aviation Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the USA (2007);
• Framework Agreement between Georgia and the USA on Trade and Investments (2007);
• Assistance Agreement between Georgia and the US (for the development of the Energy sector) (2010).

Important Resolutions of the US Congress:

• Senate Resolution #136 and House Resolution #414. Expressing the sense of the Senate / of the House that the United States should initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with the country of Georgia (May 7, 2009);

• Senate Resolution #550. Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding provocative and dangerous statements made by the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia (June 3, 2008);
• Senate Resolution #439 and House Resolution #997. Expressing the Strong support of the Senate / of the House for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to enter into a Membership Action Plan with Georgia and Ukraine (February 14, 2008 and April 1, 2008);
• Republic of Georgia Enhanced Trade Assistance, Economic Recovery, and Reconstruction Act of 2008 (September 9, 2008)

• NATO Freedom Consolidation Act of 2007 to endorse further enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and to facilitate the timely admission of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia to NATO and for other purposes. (April 10, 2007);
• Senate Resolution #33. Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should expand its relationship with the Republic of Georgia by commencing negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement (January 18, 2007);
• Senate Resolution #344. Expressing Support for the Government of Georgia's South Ossetian Peace Plan and the Successful and Peaceful Reintegration of the Region into Georgia (December 21, 2005).

 Important Visits:

From the Georgian Side:

• November 28-30, 2012 - Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Mrs. Maia Panjikidze; 
• January 30 - February 3, 2011 - Visit of the President of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili; 
• October 5-10, 2010 - Visit of the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. David Bakradze; 
• September 13-19, 2010 - Visit of the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Ms. Vera Kobalia
• April 11-19, 2010 - Visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili;
• February 22-26, 2010 - Visit of the Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia Ms. Eka Tkeshelashvili;
• February 24-26, 2010 - Visit of the State Minister for Reintegration Mr. Temur Yakobashvili;
• October 2009 - Visit of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Mr. Davit Bakradze;
• June 1-4, 2009 - Visit of the Minister of Defense of Georgia Mr. Vasil Sikharulidze;
• April 13-16, 2009 - Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Gregory Vashadze;
• January 2009- Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Gregory Vashadze;
• April 20-23, 2008 - Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Gregory Vashadze;
• March 18-20, 2008 - Visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili;
• September 11, 2007 - Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Gela Bezhuashvili;
• July 3-6, 2006 - Visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili;
• September 2006 - Visit of the President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili;
• December 4-14,2006 - Visit of the Prime-Minister of Georgia Mr. Zurab Noghaideli;
• September 2006 - Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Gela Bezhuashvili;
• July 11-14, 2006 - Visit of the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Ms. Nino Burjanadze;
• February 2006 - Visit of the Prime-Minister of Georgia Mr. Zurab Noghaideli;
• December 15-17, 2005 - Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Gela Bezhuashvili;
• September 2005 - Visit ofthe President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili;
• February 24-27,2004 -Visit ofthe President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili;
• September 2004 - Visit ofthe President of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili.

From the US Side:

• February 20-22, 2010 - Visit of the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Mr. Richard Holbrooke;
• February 10, 2010 - Visit of the US Deputy Secretary of State Mr. James Steinberg;
• January 10, 2010 - Visit of the US Senator Mr. John Mccain;
• January 13-14, 2010 - Visit of the US Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Mr. Richard Morningstar;
• October 19-20, 2009 - Visit of the Assistant Defense Secretary for International Security Affairs Mr. Alexander Vershbow;
• June 10-11, 2009 - Visit of the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Mr. Philip Gordon;
• July 23-24, 2009- Visit of the US Vice President Mr. Joseph Biden;
• September 4, 2008 - Visit of the US Vice President Mr. Richard Cheney;
• August 15, 2008 - Visit of the US Secretary of State Ms. Condoleezza Rice;
• July 9, 2008 - Visit of the US Secretary of State Ms. Condoleezza Rice;
• October 16-18, 2006 - Visit of the US Assistant Secretary of State Mr. Daniel Fried;
• August 26-28, 2006 - Visit of the Congressional Delegation headed by Senator John McCain;
• March 19 - 21, 2006 - Visit of the US Under Secretary of State Ms. Henrietta H. Fore;
• May 9-11, 2005 - Visit of the US President Mr. George W. Bush;
• May 9-11, 2005 - Visit of the Secretary of State Ms. Condoleezza Rice;
• May 9-11, 2005 - Visit of the US National Security Adviser Mr. Stephen Hadley;
• January 25-26, 2004 - Visit of the US Secretary of State Mr. Collin Powell;
• December 2003 - Visit of the US Secretary of Defense Mr. Donald Rumsfeld.

 Links

US Department of State: www.state.gov

US Embassy in Georgia: www.georgia.usembassy.gov

Embassy of Georgia to the US: www.usa.mfa.gov.ge

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Georgia:www.georgia.usaid.gov