Tbilisi (Georgia), July 24 (Xinhua) Washington regards Georgia as an important strategic partner and will continue to safeguard its security, US Vice President Joe Biden said here Thursday.

He added that the US will continue to work for developing the Georgian economic and diplomatic reform.

The US 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. He also stressed that the US backs Georgia for NATO membership.

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

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