Reuters: “Defying Russia, Georgia to host NATO training center: minister”

Georgia will not allow pressure from Russia to stop it hosting a NATO training centre on its territory or deter its plans to deepen ties with the West, Georgian Defense minister told Reuters.

Irakli Alasania noted Georgia did not want to antagonize Russia but made it clear that Georgia would not be influenced by Russian pressure.

In an article published on the Reuters webite on October 17, Alasania describes how Georgia closely monitored the situation in Ukraine – six years after Georgia was engaged in a brief but bloody war with Russia – and was adamant to continue along its pro-Western path.

Confrontation with Russia should be avoided. Georgia needs stability," Defense Minister Irakly Alasania told Reuters in an interview. "But we will never bow to the Russians ... to a 'diktat' from Russia on what is better for Georgia."

"We want Ukraine to be successful and in this regard we see Russia's actions as the main threat to the security of the region," the minister said in the interview on Thursday.

To enhance regional security, the minister confirmed Georgia’s relationship with NATO would strengthen and cooperation would include hosting a training center with the alliance.

"This center will be jointly operated by NATO and Georgia and it's going to be an additional layer of security and defensive capability for Georgia," he told Reuters journalist Margarita Antidze. 

Read the full story here: www.reuters.com