France promises more air defence support for Georgia
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France's Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian is promising his country will help Georgia strengthen its ability to defend itself.
Le Drian was in Georgia today for talks on ways to boost Georgia’s air defences.
Georgia has a mission to join the [North-Atlantic] Alliance," Le Drian said.
We will soon make a proposal for action so that Georgia is able to develop effective means of (ensuring) its air defence, which is central to its sovereignty."
In the history of independent Georgia, Le Drian’s visit marked the first time a French Defence Minister visited the country. Both French and Georgian sides said this was a sign of France’s strong support for Georgia and its sovereignty.
Defence Ministers of France (L) and Georgia. Photo by MOD Georgia.
Standing beside his Georgian counterpart Levan Izoria at a Tbilisi press conference earlier this evening, Le Drian said the two sides would soon create a plan to help boost Georgia’s air defences.
He added an expert French air defence officer would come to Georgia for negotiations and further planning the form of cooperation before the end of this year.
Georgia’s Defence Minister Izoria added France was helping Georgia implement the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package of support, particularly the important component regarding Georgia’s air defences.
Meanwhile air defence wasn’t the only topic discussed today. The French and Georgian officials spoke about increasing Frenc representation in the Black Sea to ensure regional security.
A French ship will make a port visit in Batumi in October. This will be another symbol of our cooperation,” Le Drian said.
Georgia and France have very tight, stable and constructive cooperation. My visit will further strengthen our relations.”
On another note, today the French and Georgian Defence Minsters announced more Georgian soldiers would serve in the Central African Republic.
In the near future, when a deal is signed, 20 Georgian soldiers will travel to the Central African Republic to participate in a peacekeeping mission with French troops,” Izoria said.
The two officials touched on how to deepen joint military trainings, to which Le Drian said exchanges programs would extend so more Georgian cadets were able to study in France.
The French Defence Minister is in Georgia for a three-day official visit.
The Minister of Defence of France Jean-Yves Le Drian is on his first first-ever visit to Georgia.
Georgia’s Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli is in Paris, France to meet her French counterpart and discuss Georgia-France military relations.
Georgia has signed another contract with France aimed at strengthening Georgia’s defensive abilities.
French experts will come to Georgia to support and guide the country as it develops its air defence capabilities.
The people of Georgia and the country’s servicemen and women are today celebrating a military milestone; the 24th anniversary of the country’s Air Force.
French National Navy ship, Premier-Maitre L’Her, has arrived in Georgia’s coastal city Batumi to enhance the naval partnership between Georgia and France.
Georgia’s airspace will be increasingly protected over the next two years under an agreement with France that includes providing the Georgian Armed Forces with new air defence equipment and personnel training.
Defence partnership between Georgia and France will be on the agenda for defence ministers of the two countries meeting in Paris over the next two days.
Georgian Defence Minister will leave for France tomorrow to sign a new deal with the country for the purchase of air-defence systems. Izoria stated today that the Defence Ministry budget was increased by 20 per cent this year, which provides the opportunities to sign one more deal with France regarding the systems which will boost Georgia’s self-defense capabilities.