Georgia’s Defence Minister in Afghanistan:
“We’re champions in fighting for world peace”
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Georgia’s newly appointed Minister of Defence Levan Izoria has travelled to Afghanistan for his first official international trip to meet local officials and visit Georgian soldiers who are on a peacekeeping and security mission serving alongside NATO and EU troops.
Izoria, a cabinet member since August 1, attended meetings with Afghan and international defence officials but he devoted a major part of his visit to meet Georgian peacekeepers and learn about their everyday life in Afghanistan’s hottest spots.
Defence Minister Levan Izoria meets Georgian servicemen in Afghanistan. Photo by MOD Georgia.
For my first international visit I purposefully came to Afghanistan as I wanted to thank our brave men for the work they do here,” the Minister said.
But what I saw on the ground exceeded my expectations. Their daily activities are associated with huge risk and danger,” he added.
Izoria praised the professionalism and bravery of Georgian officers and stressed Georgia made a valuable contribution to international security.
After meeting each [Georgian Armed Forces] General I got the feeling that we are champions in this field, in fighting terrorism and fighting for world peace,” said Izoria.
Georgia's Defence Minister Levan Izoria (L) and Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze. Photo by MOD Georgia.
During his trip abroad Izoria announced for the first time in Georgia’s history the country will start to annually celebrate Georgian Peacekeeper’s Day on August 31. He added this was to recognise and honour Georgia’s role as a contributor to world peace.
The Minister pledged the Government would support all Georgian soldiers who served at home and abroad.
Georgia has participated in peacekeeping missions since 1999: Several thousand Georgian servicemen have served in missions in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Another unit of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) has successfully ended a seven month deployment within a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.
Georgia will continue to participate in a NATO mission in Afghanistan, as the Alliance has decided to extend its Resolute Support Mission beyond 2016.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s top naval commander has awarded a Georgian officer for his participation in NATO’s anti-terrorism mission.
A memorial built to honour the Georgian soldiers who died while serving in Afghanistan has opened in capital Kabul today.
About 150 Georgian soldiers who defended international peace and security in war-torn Afghanistan returned home to Georgia early today.
Emotions were high in Tbilisi today as the group of soldiers from the 22nd Battalion of the II Infantry Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) touched down Georgian soil before being greeted by Defence Ministry officials.
"You are the face, identity and dignity of the Georgian state,” said Georgia’s Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli as she addressed a group of servicemen who are today leaving for Afghanistan to fight for international peace.
The Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) will soon be equipped with bulletproof vests and protective helmets made in Georgia.
Two Georgian soldiers currently protecting international peace in Afghanistan have received awards for their exemplary service at Bagram Air Base in the war-torn country.
A special memorial has been built at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan paying homage to a Georgian soldier who was killed last year while serving there in a NATO peacekeeping mission.
A short time ago Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced the two people who would be the country’s new Minister of Defence and State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality.
Georgia is celebrating the first ever Georgian Peacekeeper Day that honours troops serving in their homeland and in international missions, and to recognise and highlight Georgia’s role as a contributor to world peace.
A month after Georgia celebrated its first ever Peacekeeper Day, a new group of Georgian soldiers have departed for Afghanistan to serve alongside NATO troops in a peacekeeping mission.
Georgia is maintaining a strong presence in NATO's peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan as another unit of the Georgian Armed Foreces (GAF) were farewelled to begin their service in the Middle East.
Hundreds of foreign service members serving in the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan paid respects to Georgian troops wounded or killed in the mission by running a marathon in Kabul earlier today.
Schoolchildren in eastern Afghanistan’s Bagh-eAlam village received presents from Georgian peacekeeping troops, who met the local kids earlier today in their first humanitarian mission.
Georgia’s newly appointed Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili has announced he will visit Afghanistan to meet with Georgian peacekeepers and learn about their everyday life. Gharibashvili made an online address with Georgian peacekeepers deployed on the Afghan and African continents and pledged his support to them at the military command centre.