U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, William J. Burns, will visit Georgia as part of his five-day trip to South Caucasus states, which starts on October 16, the U.S. Department of State said on Saturday.

During his trip to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia on October 16-20, Burns will meet with government leaders and civil society representatives “to discuss strategic and shared interests in the region, including regional peace and security, economic development, and democratic reform,” the Department of State said.

Burns is expected to arrive in Tbilisi on October 18.