U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, met with President Mikheil Saakashvili on April 14 at the White House and thanked for Georgia’s “substantial contribution” to the Afghan operation, the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi said.

“The Vice President reiterated the United States' support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.  The Vice President encouraged President Saakashvili's efforts to strengthen Georgia through democratic and economic reforms designed to ensure stability and prosperity,” the embassy said.

“They discussed the deep and abiding friendship between the people of the United States and Georgia based on the shared values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights,” it said.