Within the framework of his visit to Rome, the Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaliani, held a meeting with the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip T. Reeker.

During the meeting the strategic regional significance of Georgia for the US was reconfirmed, underscoring the successful mediation conducted on behalf of the Georgian PM between Azerbaijani and Armenian parties as a significant step taken towards stability and security.

The discussion also touched upon the gross violations of human rights in the occupied regions, as well as the destructive actions of the occupational regime. Particular emphasis was made on the issue of Zaza Gakheladze and the significance of the engagement of the international community in terms of him immediate release from illegal incarceration. The priority issues of occupation of Georgia’s territory and the dire outcomes of the Russo-Georgian conflict were also discussed as they remain atop the high political agenda of the EU.