French President shows emotions as Georgia sends troops to Africa
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Georgia’s participation in the French-led peace mission in the troubled Central African Republic was one of the key issues discussed during French President Francois Hollande’s visit to Georgia today.
At a 10-minute meeting with Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze at Tbilisi International Airport immediately after Hollande arrived this afternoon, the French President said it was "very emotional” for him to hear Georgia would send troops to Africa.
"I want to express my support for the fact that you are signing the Association Agreement to develop economic relations. That’s why I will attend the forum of Georgian and French businessmen,” Hollande said.
He added: "It was also emotional for me when I heard that you were going to send your military contingent to Central Africa.”
The same issue was discussed at his meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
The French President thanked Georgia for its decision to participate in the EU mission in Africa.
Garibashvili, on the other hand, told him Georgia attached particular importance to its participation in the European Union’s crisis management operations and was proud to be a partner of France in the Central African Republic mission.
Georgia will send 125 troops to Africa. The Batumi Separate Battalion are set to spend six months there with Georgian-produced equipment. The same Battalion served in Afghanistan and also participated in several French military training.
Georgian officials said it would be "a useful experience” for Georgian troops to participate in the EU mission. This will be the first time Georgia will contribute to an EU Security and Defence Mission and its first operation in Africa.
"After this, France and other EU countries will find it easier to collaborate with Georgia in a defensive sphere,” said Georgia’s Defene Minister Irakli Alasania.
Georgia’s State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alex Petriashvili said: "This contribution by Georgia will adequately be appreciated in the future.”
The French President visited Georgia during his tour of the South Caucasus.
Georgia’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations is being discussed between Georgia’s Defence Minister and a UN representative at the UN headquarters in New York.
Georgian authorities have confirmed 150 troops will be sent to the troubled Central African Region to take part in a European Union military peacekeeping mission.
France has thanked Georgia for its decision to take part in the French-led peace mission in the troubled Central African Republic.
The business environment in Georgia is improving and the country is a good place to invest, said French President Francois Hollande at the Georgian-France Business Forum in Tbilisi today.
At a joint press conference held with President Giorgi Margvelashvili, the French leader spoke about importance for Georgia to sign the Association Agreement (AA) with the EU and the partnership between France and Georgia.
Georgian soldiers are departing for the Central African Republic on June 6 to take part in a European Union-organised and French-led peaceful mission for six months.
Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) are on their way to begin a European Union peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic
The Georgian Armed Forces serving in a mission in Central Africa are having a vital impact on the outcome of the European Union (EU) led mission.
Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Alasania has paid his first working visit to Central African Republic, were Georgian soldiers participate in an European Union (EU) led mission.
Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania is on a working visit to France to discuss how the two countries can work together in a defensive partnership.
Georgia’s participation in the French-led peace mission in the troubled Central African Republic was one of the key issues discussed at a meeting between Georgia’s Defence Minister Irakli Alasania and France’s Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Georgian troops are gearing up to travel to the troubled Central African Republic to take part in the European Union (EU) military peacekeeping mission.
Georgia could increase the number of its officers in the EU-led military advisory mission in the Central African Republic. Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli said Georgia had been asked to send more officers to Africa to train local military authorities.