NATO Vice Admiral praises Georgian Interior Minister for bringing Georgia close to NATO
NATO-Georgia cooperation on Black Sea security was one of the key topics discussed by NATO Vice Admiral Sir Clive Johnstone and Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia in Tbilisi today. Photo: Interior Ministry press office.
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Commander at the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), Vice Admiral Sir Clive Johnstone has met with Georgian Interior Minister, Vice PM Giorgi Gakharia on his first visit to Georgia and praised him for taking steps towards Georgia’s quick integration into the alliance.
Johnstone also stated that Gakharia is an “expert in regional issues” and he was eager to listen to his views regarding the current regional challenges.
For me, as for the vice admiral of NATO Maritime Command, meeting with Mr. Gakharia was particularly important. He [Gakharia] has taken successful steps for supporting the policy which brings Georgia close to NATO,” Johnstone said.
He stated that he wanted to receive advice from Gakharia regarding Black Sea security.
MARCOM is the central command of all NATO maritime forces.
Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze spoke about Georgia's expectations towards possible NATO membership while delivering a speech at a round table devoted to alliance enlargement prospects hosted by the Munich Security Conference.
"Oak Hill entered the Black Sea to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective defense of our NATO allies and partners,” the US Embassy to Georgia has stated.
A United States Navy vessel is on visit to Georgia’s Black Sea port of Batumi in a trip aimed at reaffirming the US support for the country and to enhance partnership for regional stability.
The flagship of NATO’s naval forces REGELE FERDINAND and another NATO vessel under the Turkish flag entered Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi today.
The Georgian Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is hosting Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) in the territorial waters of Georgia in the Black Sea port town of Poti. Within the visit SNMG2 will conduct combined maritime exercise training with Georgian Coast Guard vessels Ochamchire and Dioskuria.