Georgia increases its role in European crisis management

Georgia’s increasing role in regional and international security was the topic of discussion at a meeting between the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and United Kingdom (UK) Government Adviser on Foreign Security and Crisis Management Issues Sir Garry Johnson on Wednesday.

The two sides discussed the ongoing project of opening a crisis management centre in Georgia – expected to be finalised in two months’ time.

The officials also discussed a wide range of topics; from security and crisis management cooperation to Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration progress.

Garibashvili and Johnson reviewed Georgia’s significant contribution to international security through its participation in international peacekeeping missions.

Georgia’s latest peacekeeping unit began serving in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan earlier this month while it was also announced by Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli that Georgian troops will continue serving in the mission beyond 2017.

The UK government cooperated with Georgia to improve its crisis management systems since 2009, with Georgian specialists granted the opportunity to study British systems and receive recommendations by their UK counterparts.

Johnson was Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces Northern Europe, a NATO Major Subordinate Command, from 1992 until his retirement in 1994. He also worked at various top roles in the Baltic states and Caucasus region.