TBILISI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The United States regards Georgia as an important strategic partner, and will continue to safeguard its security and support its economic development and diplomatic reform, said visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden here on Thursday.

    The United States will continue to cooperate with Georgia within the framework of the Charter on Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries in January, said Biden while delivering a speech at the Georgian parliament.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden reviews a honour guard during a welcoming ceremony in Tbilisi July 23, 2009.

He also stressed that the United States remains supportive for Georgia to join NATO.

    Earlier on Thursday, Biden held closed-door talks with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and Parliament Speaker David Bakradze respectively.

    They discussed a range of specific issues such as enhancement of security, cooperation on economy and diplomatic reform.

    When meeting with Georgian opposition leaders, the U.S. vice president promised that his country will not interfere with Georgia's internal affairs.

    Biden, who arrived here on late Wednesday from Ukraine for a two-day visit, was the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Georgia since U.S. President Barack Obama took office.