U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington will continue assistance to Georgia in the field of security and defense and supports country’s NATO membership.

The Secretary spoke at the opening of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission plenary session in Batumi, Georgia.

Georgia is strategic partner of U.S. as regards the issues of regional and world security. She stressed that increase in combat readiness of Georgia and matching it with NATO standards continues within the framework of agreement reached by both countries’ presidents, Gruziya Online reports.

“We continue educating and equipping the Georgian army which participates in the operation in Afghanistan, therefore increasing combat readiness of Georgia,” she said.   

She reiterated Washington’s support for Georgia’s integration into NATO.