WASHINGTON, June 23 (RIA Novosti) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden will travel to Georgia and Ukraine on July 20-24 for talks with the countries' leaders, the White House announced.

Biden will also meet with opposition and civil society representatives in the two post-Soviet countries.

According to the U.S. government, the visit is aimed at demonstrating "U.S. support for continued democratic and economic reforms" and discussing "issues of mutual interest in both countries."

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg discussed deepening the countries' "strategic partnership" in Washington on Monday.

Steinberg said Washington had reaffirmed its "strong support for Georgia's independence and territorial integrity" and pledged to "continue to support Georgia's military professionalization."