Georgia’s top military official will “productively” cooperate with new Defence Minister

The Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) plans to "productively” cooperate with the new Defence Minister.

Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze believed the GAF were separate from politics and their only policy was to ensure Georgia’s security.

Georgia’s top military official made this comment when returned home from his Washington visit last night.

While Kapanadze was away, major changes took place in the Defence Ministry: Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili dismissed then-Defence Minister Irakli Alasania and appointed Mindia Janelidze as his replacement.

Also, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office arrested the head of the Army’s medical department and several other Defence Ministry officials.

Kapanadze said the Army was separate from politics thanks to this Government.

"The right to appoint or fire me belongs to the supreme commander-in-chief of the country [which is President Giorgi Margvelashvili],” Kapanadze said.

"We have many plans. We have a lot to do. I’ve returned from the United States with very good results. Our bilateral cooperation has been intensified. I am going to not only cooperate with the new Defence Minister but cooperate productively. We all should cooperate fruitfully for the benefit of our country.”

Meanwhile, on November 6 new Defence Minister Janelidze started his first day in office by meeting the GAF leadership team.