US undersecretary of state hails Lugar centre role as “pioneer” in Georgia's Covid-19 efforts
In her remarks during her visit to the lab as part of her visit to the Georgian capital, Jenkins noted the pandemic had brought “new challenges”, such as cybersecurity issues related to laboratory biosecurity. Photo: InterPressNews
Tweet 
Share
Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, on Thursday said the Tbilisi-based Lugar laboratory of the national centre for disease control was a “pioneer” in Georgia's fight against Covid-19 and noted the US’ “pride” in its cooperation with the laboratory.
In her remarks during her visit to the lab as part of her visit to the Georgian capital, Jenkins noted the pandemic had brought “new challenges”, such as cybersecurity issues related to laboratory biosecurity.
She said by “standing together”, the international community would be “better prepared” to deal with the next pandemic.
The US official noted that building the Lugar centre had required years of “investment, commitment and improvements” on Georgia's part to detect and respond to animal and human disease outbreaks.
The Lugar centre was a pioneer and a tool in Georgia's fight against Covid-19. The US is proud of its peaceful cooperation with the Lugar centre. I applaud the professionalism and openness of the Lugar centre employees, which opened the door to transparency”, she said.
Jenkins highlighted Georgia had become a world leader in reducing the burden of hepatitis C and a regional leader in Covid-19 testing, all thanks to the laboratory.
Cooperation between the Georgian parliament and the United States Agency for International Development was discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the speaker of the Georgian legislative body Shalva Papuashvili and John Pennell, the newly appointed mission director for USAID in the Caucasus.
Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, will visit Tbilisi today, the state department said on Tuesday.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with communications agency Zinc Network will develop a series of public service announcements to bust vaccine myths in Georgia, inform the public about the benefits of getting vaccinated and share fact-based information about vaccines.
Head of the Disease Control Centre of the Ministry of Health of Georgia David Gamkrelidze has stated today that 23 international experts have drafted a report regarding the US-founded Lugar lab in Tbilisi, in the wake of Russian accusations about illegal experiments being conducted at the site.
Current developments in Georgia and the Black Sea region were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili and Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.
Cooperation between Georgia and the United States, including in the successful programmes for strengthening the capabilities of Georgia’s revenue service, was discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian finance minister Lasha Khutsishvili and Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.
Juansher Burchuladze, the minister of defence of Georgia, on Friday discussed ongoing and planned reforms in his body, as well as the “30-year-old cooperation and partnership” with the United States in a Tbilisi meeting with Bonnie Jenkins, the US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, the defence ministry said.