High-ranking US military official: Bonds with Georgia are stronger than ever
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US-Georgia relations are stronger than ever, said a top US military official to Georgian defence delegation in Germany.
A Georgian delegation led by Defence Minister Levan Izoria visited the US European Command’s 7th Army training base in Hohenfels, Germany today. The delegation was hosted by the US Army European Forces Commander, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges and training base commander, Brigadier General Antonio Aguto.
Hodges praised Georgian soldiers currently being trained at the Hohenfels training centre and said he is impressed by their bravery and the level of readiness. He also positively assessed defence reforms currently being implemented in Georgia.
"Top defence officials of Georgia have chosen an innovative approach to transform the Defence Ministry. They can ensure the best defence capabilities for Georgia”, the US Army European Forces Commander said.
"Today, as always, I was impressed by the Georgian servicemen. They are very well-prepared for an Afghanistan mission. They’re open-minded and they work very well as a team. I trust in them. We, Americans, know that Georgians are noble and reliable partners”, he added.
The sides discussed future cooperation and the US-Georgia security cooperation deal that envisages long-term objectives and development of strong defence capabilities for Georgia.
Izoria said that today was "a historic day” because the sides discussed details of establishing a readiness centre, similar to the Hohenfels centre, in Georgia to train Georgian servicemen and increase the Georgia Armed Forces military readiness level with the help of Georgia’s international partners.
Izoria said this training centre is expected to be completed this year.
Top US commander in Afghanistan Army General John Nicholson thanked Georgia’s contribution to military efforts in Afghanistan yesterday as a non-NATO member state.
A memorial built to honour the Georgian soldiers who died while serving in Afghanistan has opened in capital Kabul today.
"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.
Georgian troops will continue to serve in Afghanistan in a NATO-led peacekeeping mission after 2017.
Military hardware from NATO members and partner countries has arrived in Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti for the upcoming Noble Partner defence exercise launching on Sunday.
Georgia’s Minister of Defence Levan Izoria says that current scales and forms of cooperation with the country’s key strategic partner, with the United States, will become even more large-scale through signing new deals.
The Georgian Defence Ministry and the United States European Command have signed a memorandum of understanding about strengthening the defence capabilities of Georgia today.
Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, who served as the commanding general of the United States Army Europe, says that Georgia has left nothing to prove and NATO should invite the country to membership during its next summit, Hodges told Voice of America in an interview.