The Georgian government has extended contract till the end of this year with law and lobbying firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, which provides its services to the Georgian authorities since spring, 2015.

Under the contract, valid from April 1 to December 31, the government is paying the firm USD 30,000 per month for the services, which include activities supporting “U.S.-Georgia bilateral relations and Georgia’s NATO aspirations, supporting relations with media and opinion makers, facilitate arrangement of relevant events and meetings, and educating U.S. leaders about developments in Georgia.”

Under the previous contract the Georgian government was paying Pillsbury USD 50,000 per month, but that deal also included fee for a subcontractor for additional media services.

According to filings submitted by Pillsbury to the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, services the firm is providing includes assisting the Georgian government in “developing relationships with key groups” in the U.S., among them senior officials in the White House and Department of State; members of Congress, and “likely presidential candidates and their top advisors.”

The firm has also to assist the government in “securing demonstrations of support for Georgia” from these “key groups” in the U.S.

In other services, the firm has to support in arranging visits of Georgian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to the United States; monitor developments in Washington related to Georgia; provide “strategic advice” on foreign policy, deepening NATO-Georgia relations, enhancing defense cooperation with the U.S., as well as “provide advice” on drafts of op-eds, letters and speeches for the Georgian government officials.