U.S., Georgia Sign Economic Agreement

The agreement was signed June 20 in Washington by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative John Voroneau and Georgian Minister of Economic Development Giorgi Arveladze.

Voroneau said increased trade and investment between the United States and Georgia will strengthen Georgia's efforts to reform and develop its economy.

Georgian leaders say they hope the move could pave the way for an eventual free-trade agreement, which would help its efforts to reorient its economy toward the West.

(AP)