U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived today in Tbilisi, kicking off his trip to Europe ahead of NATO Defense Ministerial. He has already met with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to make one issue clear: the United States condemns Russia's occupation of Georgian territories and its attempts to gain influence over the Black Sea through various mechanisms. This is an important region and its security and stability are very important for the practical implementation of our common vision - for the existence of a united, free and peaceful society. So, thank you again. The United States is committed to the idea of ​​maintaining a strategic partnership," Secretary Austin said at his meeting with PM Garibashvili.

After his Georgia trip, the U.S. Defense Secretary is set to visit Romania and Ukraine before taking part in the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in Brussels on October 21-22.