Georgian military leader meets Afghan colleague

Georgian soldiers serving in Afghanistan have been praised by a top Afghan military leader.

The head of the Georgian Armed Forces has met with the leader of the Afghan Military in Afghanistan, who said the soldiers were serving in the most difficult region in the troubled country.

Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze, met with his Afghan counterpart, General Sher Mohammad Karimi, during his official visit to the Republic of Afghanistan.

Deputy Defence Minister Irakli Gegechkori also attended the meeting, where the sides discussed issues including strengthening bilateral relations, cooperation in the field of security and the possible education of the Afghan military at the Georgian military educational institutions once the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission was accomplished.

General Karimi thanked the Georgian side for its contribution to providing security in the Helmand Province. He said the Georgian military were serving in the "most difficult region" of Afghanistan and the security situation in the region had "considerably improved since their arrival.

With assistance from the Georgian military, the Afghan side will soon be able to begin taking steps to regain the responsibility for the security of the country, General Karimi said.

At the end of the official visit, the Georgian delegates visited the Georgian unit stationed at base "Phoenix".

Major-General Kapanadze awarded 10 military servants with Devoted to Homeland medals for their contribution to strengthening the defence capabilities of the country.

Six US soldiers also received "General Mazniashvili" awards for development of military cooperation between Georgia and the United States.