House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement this afternoon after welcoming His Excellency, President Mikheil Saakashvili of the Republic of Georgia, to the U.S. Capitol:

“It is always a pleasure to welcome President Saakashvili to the Capitol.  Georgia has been a steadfast and strategic ally, working with the United States on many issues of mutual interest.  America has a critical leadership role to play working with Georgia to advance the pursuit of universal values: freedom, democracy, and economic and social opportunity.  I appreciated the opportunity to thank President Saakashvili for his and his country’s unwavering support, especially in Afghanistan, where Georgian soldiers have been killed and wounded.  I look forward to our next visit.”

NOTE: This is the second time in Boehner’s tenure as Speaker that he has welcomed President Saakashvili to the Capitol: the two leaders met on January 12, 2011.