President Margvelashvili’s first visit with Armed Forces

President Giorgi Margvelashvili, together with the Defense Minister Irakli Alasania and newly appointed Chief of Joint Staff Vakhtang Kapanadze, visited the Vaziani Military Base, twenty kilometers outside capital Tbilisi.

Margvelashvili gave a presidential speech at the Fourth Mechanized Brigade awarding ceremony. He thanked the soldiers for their role not only in national, but also in global security, highlighting their participation in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

"On behalf of Georgian citizens, I want to thank you for your fight for the countrys security and unity. We are proud of you. Our people sleep peacefully as you are standing order. Your strength, knowledge, and experience is the guarantee of our security. Your military achievements that we are celebrating today, is our reason to be proud. Thank you for your service, President addressed to the soldiers.

Defense Minister Irakli Alasania also congratulated the soldiers on their military achievements. "Remembering the soldiers from the 4^th mechanized brigade who died for the country, and taking care of their families will always be our priority," Alasania said.

Vakhtang Kapanadze, Chief of Joint Staff of Georgian Armed Forces, was appointed at the post today. Kapanadze also received a higher military rank and now he is Major General.

He replaced Colonel Irakli Dzneladze at the post.

Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Irakli Garibahsvili met with Kapanadze and Dzneladze. He thanked Dzneladze for his service as Chief of Joint Staff and expressed his hopes that Dzneladzes professionalism will still be used in favor of Georgian Armed Forces.