President farewells Georgian soldiers bound for Africa
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In front of a large crowd at a special ceremony today, the President of Georgia spoke of humility and sacrifice as he bid farewell to Georgia soldiers who are departing home soil to participate in an international peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic.
President Giorgi Margvelashvili spoke about the Georgian troop’s bravery and the country’s heroic past in his address to the soldiers who would serve in the European Union-organised and French-led peaceful mission for the next six months.
The President said the whole country was proud of its soldiers and each Georgian citizen would be looking forward to their peaceful return from Africa.
"Remember that the whole country, not only your own families, will wait for you to come home,” Margvelashvili said.
"We think about you and we are proud of you. What you have done and are still doing in Afghanistan and what you will do in Africa will strengthen our country and create a better future for the whole world.”
The President met the country’s Defence Minister and the head of the Georgian Armed Forces at the Vaziani military base to farewell the soldiers today.
In February, the EU asked the Georgian Government to contribute to the African mission. The request was confirmed in a letter sent by Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze.
The Government discussed the issue and decided Georgia would support and contribute to the mission. About 150 Georgian troops are expected to take part in the operation.
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.
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.
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.
Georgia’s Parliament has approved the Government’s and President’s decision to have Georgian military participate in the European Union’s mission to Central Africa.
Georgia is ready to contribute soldiers to the European Union rescue mission in violence-torn Central African Republic, Reuters reported.
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.
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.