President attends NATO-Georgia exercise, says army-upgrade isn’t against anyone
Tweet 
Share
Today President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended North-Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-Georgia joint, multi-national military exercise near capital Tbilisi.
The NATO-Georgia Exercise 2016, launched on November 10 with more than 250 soldiers from 13 foreign states, is underway at Krtsanisi National Training Centre several kilometers far from Tbilisi.
Margvelashvili stressed the exercise only served the aim to boost Georgia’s defence capabilities and better prepare Georgian soldiers to protect international peace and security.
Such exercises are always for more stability and peace and never against someone,” the President stressed allegedly in response to Russia’s recent allegations that NATO-Georgia joint exercises "created regional threats.”
NATO Secretary General also dismissed Russia's claims.
Georgia, as a country, which has a very clear vision in terms of stability and security, once again proves it’s a very responsible partner for NATO, which is eager to prove its readiness for promoting global security,” Margvelashvili added.
The President also thanked those who arrived to Georgia to participate in the exercise.
The exercise is due to complete on November 20.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has condemned Russia's opinion of NATO's multi-national military training; he says what NATO does is "defensive” and consequently, the NATO-Georgia joint military exercises pose no threat to anyone.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims the joint military exercises conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Georgia create a "serious threat” to regional stability and peace.
For the next 10 days a Georgian military training centre located just outside capital Tbilisi is hosting the NATO-Georgia Exercise 2016 in a "landmark" occasion that will strengthen Georgia-NATO relations.
Military officials from all over the world are in Georgia to participate in a multinational military exercise run by the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO).