“I think there are many things that we share: a sense of pride, national pride, and a belief in — as you said — the sovereignty of nations. I am saddened that in recent years the relationship between our two countries has not been as close as I think it should be,” said Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, at an event organized by the Georgian Embassy in the United States marking Georgia’s Independence Day.
According to him, he rarely attends such events, and his presence at the event is a symbol of his desire to warm relations between the two countries.
“I am so proud and delighted to be here this evening, Ambassador. Thank you for that very kind introduction. And thank you, Mr. Deputy Foreign Minister, for coming all the way from Tbilisi to join all of us for this event tonight. Your presence is very much noted and appreciated. I am truly honored to have the chance to address all of you this evening in this wonderful mansion, to talk a little bit about U.S.-Georgian relations and to add my voice — on behalf of the United States, on behalf of President Trump and Secretary Rubio — in congratulating the great people of Georgia on another momentous anniversary.
I have to say I was really struck, during the singing of the national anthems, by the incredible natural beauty of your country. I think many Americans don’t realize just how beautiful your country is. I think there are amazing tourist opportunities there, and I certainly would like to be one of those tourists at some point. I saw those pictures and thought, “Wow, I have to make my way over there soon.”
Georgia is one of those countries that, when I was a boy, I would spend hours and hours reading about. I have a brother who is much older than I am, so I was essentially raised as an only child, and I spent hours and hours reading The World Almanac and learning about all different countries around the world — their capitals, their industries. But Georgia was not an independent country as I was growing up, so I never really had the opportunity to reflect on Georgia as a country. It is one of those countries that became independent during my adult lifetime. So in that sense, you are a very new country — but as you reminded us earlier tonight, you are also one of the most ancient countries on Earth.
Congratulations on thousands of years of nationhood and, I believe you said, 1,700 years of Christianity. I think you honestly have one of the most beautiful flags in the world, with five crosses on it, and I think that just reflects your very long and distinguished history.
Those are common cultural heritage that we share between our peoples. I think there are many things that we share: a sense of pride, national pride, and a belief in — as you said — the sovereignty of nations. I am saddened that in recent years the relationship between our two countries has not been as close as I think it should be, given the many ties that otherwise bind us.
To be honest with you, I don’t often attend National Day events. This is only the third I have been to in 15 months in my current role. So when I do attend, it carries real symbolic weight — a symbol of a relationship that we would like to warm up.
I truly appreciated your speech, Mr. Deputy Foreign Minister. I very much felt that you were reaching out a hand of friendship to us, and I am here to take that hand and shake it warmly,” Landau said.
Landau added that Georgia and the United States have overlapping national interests.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to start rebuilding the relationship between our countries. As the Deputy Foreign Minister rightly said, I believe both Georgia and the United States seek a foreign policy based on promoting their national interests, and I think we share many of those interests. Georgia has an incredibly strategic location in the Caucasus, and particularly now, with the recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, I think many new opportunities have opened up for economic development and greater regional integration. I have also spent time in Central Asia, and I think there is a lot of potential — whether from India or from Central Asia — for a trade route that goes through the Caucasus and across the Black Sea toward Europe. I am very pleased that President Trump has given our administration the flexibility to reexamine some of our relationships with countries where ties may have been frozen over the years, but where there is, I believe, valuable opportunity for thawing. Georgia is certainly one of those countries.
I know we sent a delegation to Tbilisi last week, and I look forward to working with your government to find more areas of common ground — be they economic, security-related, or political. Let us work toward that, because I think our two countries have a great deal in common. I hope my presence here tonight sends a powerful message that we are very sincerely interested in improving the relationship between our countries — not merely for symbolic reasons, but because I genuinely believe it is in the interest of both nations. You mentioned, Mr. Deputy Foreign Minister, the way our troops have fought side by side in a number of places around the world, and I think that is a model for how we can continue to deepen our cooperation. And, rooted in the very ancient foundations of your civilization — I understand you have been cultivating wine in that region for thousands of years, and that it is some of the finest in the world — we are very interested in building on everything that connects us. Let us both build on the momentum that has been established.
Your presence here today, Mr. Deputy Foreign Minister, is a very good sign, and I look forward to working with you and your government. Let me make one point clear, which I think must be stated clearly in this day and age: the United States will never waver in its commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in supporting the Georgian people as you strengthen your nation toward a more prosperous future. We believe the United States can be a very powerful ally for you, and we would like to stand by your side. So again, thank you for your invitation this evening. May God bless Georgia, may God bless the United States, and gaumarjos,” he declared.
The event honouring Georgia’s Independence Day was attended by Tamar Taliashvili, the Georgian Ambassador to the United States, and Giorgi Zurabashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
