| In addition to Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts and Overseas Private Investment Corporation loans, Georgia and the United States have agreed to hold a high-level dialogue on how to enhance U.S.-Georgia trade relations, including exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement. The United States values Georgia's contribution to NATO forces in Afghanistan and will continue to deepen defense cooperation. Indeed, President Obama reaffirmed the United States' support for Georgia's aspiration to ultimately become a NATO member. The United States appreciates the example of democracy and transparency that Georgia has been setting, not only in Georgia, but also for the region as a whole. "With continued progress over the next several years," said President Obama, "a lot of countries will say to themselves that if Georgia can perform these transformations, then we can as well." The United States continues to emphasize the importance of free and fair parliamentary elections later this year in Georgia and presidential elections the following year. "A formal transfer of power," said President Obama, "will solidify many of the reforms that have already taken place." |
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