US Department of State: "The United States do not fight with Russia for influence on Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia"

"The United States do not strive for forcing Russia out of this region. This would be senseless and impossible", said Fried in the report to the US Congress, RIA Novosti reports.

"The United States do not want to engage in rivalry with Russia for "influence" in the spirit of the 19th century and even so more in this region or any other regions, this is not a zero stake game and all the South Caucasus, Russian and trans-Altantic communities will benefit from positive relations between all actors in the South Caucasus", says the document.

Fried said the countries of this region-Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan-should define their fate personally and set ties with other states and international institutions, including NATO, by themselves.

"We consider that neither Russia nor any other external force should influence these countries and none of external forces should get a chance to threat, impose pressure or bloc the sovereign choice of these countries about joining European institutions or Trans-Atlantic family, if they want it", said Fried.

/Novosti-Georgia/