Georgia’s defensive abilities will grow with US pledge

A top United States (US) Army representative has pledged the US will assist Georgia to further increase its defensive capabilities and support Georgia's NATO aspirations.

The US Secretary of the Army John McHugh made the omission during his meeting with Georgia’s Defence Minister Irakli Alasania in Tbilisi today.

Alasania said his American counterpart reiterated his country’s readiness to assist Georgia and support the implementation of the Substantial Package Georgia was offered at the NATO Summit in Wales, held earlier this month.

At their meeting the sides discussed bilateral cooperation issues in the defensive sphere between Georgia and the US.

McHugh highlighted the importance of the US-Georgia partnership and expressed readiness that the States would continue "active cooperation” with Georgia in the field of defence.

The sides also referred to the enduring partnership between the US Army Europe and the Georgian Armed Forces. The officials highlighted the importance of further increasing cooperation in the field of staff trainings for Georgian officers and noncommissioned officers.

Regional security issues and the Ukrainian crisis was one of the topics of today’s discussion, where the Georgian side again condemned Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.

The sides also discussed the NATO-led international mission in Afghanistan. Alasania reaffirmed the willingness of Georgia to participate in the NATO Resolute Support mission from 2015.

The US Army Secretary expressed gratitude to his Georgian colleague for the contribution Georgian troops provided to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.

Meanwhile Alasania, in response, said the US’ role the in treatment and rehabilitation of wounded Georgian military personnel, as well as the US’ support for developing rehabilitation capabilities in Georgia, was hugely appreciated.

Later today, McHugh will visit the Davit Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy. He is also scheduled to participate in a wreath laying ceremony held at the memorial of the Georgian heroes who died while protecting Georgia’s territorial integrity.