Georgia, Tbilisi, March 12 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
Georgian authorities will have to overcome many challenges on the way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Eric Rubin said in Washington at a joint news conference with Georgian Parliamentary Speaker David Usupashvili.
"We welcome the efforts of the new authorities in trying to carry out constitutional amendments in favour of the development of democracy, as well as Georgia's rapprochement with NATO and European structures and efforts to promote democracy," he said.
Rubin stressed that the U.S. appreciates Georgia's contribution in stabilising the situation in Afghanistan and the price the country paid in the struggle for international security.
In turn, Usupashvili said that during the meetings at the State Department he received assurances of support for Georgia on its integration into NATO, strengthening the relationship between Georgia and the United States.
"We also discussed the issue of constitutional change, not only toward limiting the president's power, but also improving the constitution in general," he said.
On the first day of his visit to the U.S., Georgian Parliament Speaker met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas O. Melia and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Marie L. Yovanovitch, as well as other representatives of the State Department.