OCC E&F conference: Georgia hosts prestigious NATO event for first time

For the first time in the history of Georgia-NATO cooperation, the Georgian capital Tbilisi is hosting an annual conference of the NATO Operational Capability Concept Evaluation and Feedback Programme (OCC E&F).

The OCC E&F is a practical, multipurpose military tool that serves as a vehicle for closer operational relationships between the Alliance and potential contributors to NATO-led operations, by supporting partner efforts to develop forces that are fully interoperable and capable of operating with NATO standards and procedures.

The conference brought together representatives of NATO states and its partner countries.

Photo source: Press office of the Georgian Defence Ministry. 

The First Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Colonel Nikoloz Janjgava, addressed the conference this morning. He stressed the importance of the participation of Georgia in the OCC E&F program.

He said that Georgia has two battalions participating in the program. One of them has already completed the evaluation process and is currently involved in the NATO Response Force (NRF). The other one will complete the process in 2018 before replacing the first Georgian battalion in the NRF.

"The Programme ensures the increase of interoperability of these battalions with NATO standards,” Janjgava said.

The Georgian Defence Ministry said in a press release that participants of the conference praised the progress of Georgia-NATO cooperation and drew future plans.

NATO holds its OCC E&F conference annually in one of its partner countries whose servicemen are involved in the program.

The two-day event in Tbilisi will wrap up tomorrow.