150 Georgian troops contribute to African mission
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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.
Being involved in the EU Security and Defence Mission was "morally right”, particularly for country’s neighbouring Russia, said Georgia’s Defence Minister Irakli Alasania.
"[Georgia’s contribution will] not only give help to the EU but for us it is also a moral mission", Alasania told news Agency France Press (AFP).
Georgia's 150 troops will join French and African Union troops help combat the horrific spiral of sectarian violence in the Central African Republic. It will be the nation’s first contribution to an EU Security and Defence Mission and its first operation in Africa, the Minister stated.
So far, nations had offered 600 troops to take part in the French-led mission, Alasania said.
The operation commander French General Philippe Ponties said the total number of troops would likely be between 800-1,000. A more definite number would be known after talks next week to determine the contribution from the EU and other nations, he said.
The aim was to get the first lot of troops on the ground in early March with the French-led force at full capability by the end April. Then, its four-to-six month mandate will begin, Ponties said.
The mission aspired to create "a safe haven" at Bangui airport and in two nearby districts to allow the return of refugees who have fled following violence between Muslim and Christian communities.
More than 100,000 people are living in awful conditions near the airport.
Many of the countries contributing to the mission are from Eastern Europe, including Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Romania. Portugal and Spain are other likely contributors.
Almost a million people have been displaced in the Central African Republic. To date, France has sent 2,000 troops to its former colony to assist almost 6,000 African peacekeepers.
"[Georgia] are future members of the EU and we are future members of NATO, so our commitment is also a commitment to the common values," Alasania said. He stressed the decision had been approved by the majority and the opposition in Parliament.
Georgia, besides Ukraine, is one of six ex-Soviet satellites involved in the EU's Eastern Partnership scheme to bolster mutual ties, will also contribute officers to a separate EU military mission to train Mali's army, he added.
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 Government of Georgia has approved Georgia’s military to contribute to a European Union (EU) rescue mission in the violence-torn Central African Republic.
High ranking Georgian officials have confirmed Georgia will contribute to a mission in the Central African Republic.
Georgia is ready to contribute soldiers to the European Union rescue mission in violence-torn Central African Republic, Reuters reported.
France has thanked Georgia for its decision to take part in the French-led peace mission in the troubled Central African Republic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Georgian troops are gearing up to travel to the troubled Central African Republic to take part in the European Union (EU) military peacekeeping mission.
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.
Parliament’s Defence and Security Committee today discussed the President’s decree about sending a Georgian platoon to participate in a European Union (EU) peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic and Mali.