Georgian troops prepare for EU mission in Africa
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Georgian troops are gearing up to travel to the troubled Central African Republic to take part in the European Union (EU) military peacekeeping mission.
The 100-strong 23rd Battalion of the Second Infantry Brigade will depart Georgia for Africa tomorrow. They will replace the 22nd Battalion of the II Infantry Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) and will spend the next four months on duty. The Georgian troops are taking part in the EU Security and Defence mission and are serving on a rotational process.
A farewell ceremony was held for the departing soldiers today. It was attended by Defence Minister Mindia Janelidze, Defence Deputy Ministers, heads of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces and the French Ambassador to Georgia Renaud Salins.
Janelidze addressed the Georgian servicemen and wished them a successful mission abroad.
"You were given a very difficult mission by your country, a mission for providing stability and peace in another state. We are very proud that Georgia is present on the African continent as well. This means that our country stands beside the civilized world,” he said.
"Together with leading countries, Georgia has large military traditions. The Georgian Army is ready to fulfill its duty on any continent. Your participation in the African mission is not only a peacekeeping act, this is a service for your country because your work gets us closer to NATO’s armed forces, the EU and world leading countries,” he announced.
"I am confident that you will successfully carry out your missions and you will all return home unharmed,” Janelidze said.
Georgian military have contributed to the EU security mission since March, after the EU asked the Georgian Government to contribute to the African mission.
Minister Janelidze told reporters, Georgia had a mandate to participate in the mission until the end of December however the Government had already addressed Georgia’s Parliament to prolong the mandate for an additional three months.
If Parliament approves this request, the troops will spent a total of seven months in the Central African Republic.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 is ready to contribute soldiers to the European Union rescue mission in violence-torn Central African Republic, Reuters reported.
More than hundred Georgian military peacekeepers have returned home after spending six months serving in the Central African Republic.
Georgian military peacekeepers have returned home after spending months serving in the Central African Republic.
The Central African Republic Ambassador to the United Nations (EU) is thanking Georgia for its soldiers’ participation in the peacekeeping mission in Africa.
Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili has issued new decree on participation of Georgian soldiers in the European Union (EU) peacekeeping mission in Central Africa and Mali.
The Ministry of Defence of Georgia has temporarily relieved six employees, including a Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, after allegations emerged this afternoon that Georgian soldiers were involved in the alleged sexual abuse of children in the Central African Republic (CAR).