June 4, 2005 - 08:13 AMT
HAGEL: CAUCASUS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO US AND WORLD
The South Caucasian region is of great importance to the US and the whole of the world, US Senator Chuck Hagel stated in the course of a press conference in Tbilisi June 3. "The main reason for my arrival in the South Caucasian region is the great geopolitical importance the region has not only to the US, but also the whole of the world. In my opinion US Congress members should be well-informed over the processes developing in that region," the Senator stated. He noted that "certain difficulties in the region persist, however, it is important that a right course is chosen." "There is work still to be done in implementation of democratic, electoral reforms, making borders more transparent and lifting the restrictions, however the leaders of the region understanding that these problems should be solved and working over them is the most important," the Senator remarked. In the course of his stay in Tbilisi Mr. Hagel had meetings with the Georgian President, Defense Minister, National Security Council Secretary, visited the Krtsanis Training Unit of the Georgian Defense Ministry, where Georgian servicemen, who are to participate in international peacekeeping operations, are trained within the US Sustainment and Stability Operation Program, reported Novosti-Gruzia.