[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[March 7, 1994]
[Pages 394-395]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Declaration on Relations Between the United States and the 
Republic of Georgia
March 7, 1994

    At their meeting at the White House, President of the United States 
Bill Clinton and Georgian Parliament Chairman Eduard Shevardnadze agreed 
on the need to accelerate the building of close and mutually beneficial 
relations on all levels between the United States of America and the 
Republic of Georgia.
    The United States was the first country in which a Georgian Embassy 
was established after independence. This official visit by Chairman 
Shevardnadze marks an important further step demonstrating the 
significance which the United States and the Republic of Georgia attach 
to broadening and deepening their relationship.
    The United States recognizes that the Republic of Georgia faces new 
challenges in ensuring its national security and is ready to work 
closely with Georgia to assist it in finding ways to meet these 
challenges. The United States and the Republic of Georgia further 
expressed their desire to facilitate contact between appropriate 
government officials with a view to broadening defense cooperation and 
expanding their dialogue on security issues of mutual interest.
    The United States reaffirmed its full support for the territorial 
integrity of Georgia and pledged its continued backing for United 
Nations efforts to facilitate a peaceful settlement to the conflict in 
the Abkhaz region of Georgia.
    International security can no longer be achieved through the efforts 
of individual states by acquiring ever increasing amounts of weaponry. 
Rather, security must be based on reduced levels of armaments among all 
nations, and on a multilateral commitment to uphold shared values, 
especially democracy, the inviolability of borders, territorial 
integrity, and peaceful resolution of disputes. The United States and 
the Republic of Georgia agreed that working together in multilateral 
institutions like CSCE and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council is an 
important means of promoting these goals and values.
    The United States welcomes the announcement that the Republic of 
Georgia has decided to move forward on participation in NATO's 
Partnership For Peace. The Partnership provides a framework for enhanced 
political and operational military cooperation, including joint 
planning, training and exercises for multilateral crisis management 
activities.
    The Republic of Georgia and the United States reaffirm their 
commitment to comply fully with the obligations of the Treaty on 
Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. The United States stands ready to 
provide technical assistance, advice, and expertise to assist the 
Republic of Georgia as it continues to meet these obligations. President 
Clinton and Chairman Shevardnadze agreed that the two governments should 
continue to work together--and with other concerned governments--to 
explore ways to minimize the cost of meeting these commitments.
    President Clinton and Chairman Shevardnadze agreed that the 
independence of the Republic of Georgia and its commitment to democracy 
and market economic reform could make an important contribution to 
stability in a region of Europe that has known great tragedy and 
upheaval. The United States and the Republic of Georgia underscored 
their intention to cooperate actively to achieve this goal. The 
President and the Chairman agreed to protect and promote the values that 
bind together

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the democratic community of nations, including free and fair elections, 
freedom of emigration, the rule of law, respect for human rights, 
including free speech, free press, and respect for the rights of 
individuals belonging to minorities. The United States strongly 
supported the commitment of the Republic of Georgia to develop in full 
accordance with these principles and its efforts to build a just and 
stable society where the fundamental freedoms of all peoples are 
guaranteed.
    The United States and the Republic of Georgia expressed their 
determination to advance the values of economic freedom, without which 
democracy cannot succeed and prosperity cannot be attained. The Republic 
of Georgia reaffirmed its determination to build a market economy 
through appropriate macroeconomic stabilization policies and structural 
reforms to promote market development, economic recovery and growth, and 
to create conditions attractive to foreign investment, which will 
contribute to the restructuring of the Georgian economy. The United 
States will assist the Republic of Georgia to promote economic reform, 
free trade and foreign investment. Both sides recognize the importance 
of improved market access for their firms, and the need to ensure 
economic progress and to deepen economic cooperation.
    President Clinton and Chairman Shevardnadze agreed to work together 
to remove all unnecessary barriers to bilateral trade and investment. 
The President and Chairman signed the U.S.-Georgian Bilateral Investment 
Treaty today. They also agreed on the advisability of completing 
preparations on a treaty to avoid double taxation.
    The United States reaffirmed its intention to continue providing 
assistance to the Republic of Georgia in the areas of agriculture, food, 
medicine, fiscal and monetary policy, and other areas to promote reform 
in Georgia. The United States expressed its commitment to continue its 
assistance to the Republic of Georgia in meeting the needs of the 
persons displaced from the Abkhazia region of Georgia.
    The United States and the Republic of Georgia are also ready to 
expand their relations in such areas as science, energy, culture, arts, 
education, law, sports, tourism, youth exchanges, and new information 
technology.
    By agreeing to cooperate to advance common political, economic, and 
security interests, the United States and the Republic of Georgia have 
laid the foundation for a strong and diversified relationship.