Georgian captain awarded Portuguese state medal for EU mission
Captain Asatiani of the National Guard of Georgia, photographed at the award ceremony in Bangui. Photo: National Guard of Georgia.
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A Georgian captain has been recognised for his contributions to an European Union peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic with a state award from Portugal, marking his successful work alongside fellow service members from European countries.
Captain Asatiani of the National Guard of Georgia received the St George's Cross from Admiral António Silva Ribeiro, Chief of General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces.
The platoon commander was distinguished for “high competence and unique skills” in Bangui, capital of the African state, earlier this month.
The award was handed to the Georgian captain within a visit of Ribeiro and João Cravinho, Portugal’s Defence Minister, to troops of the European Union Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic.
EUTM RCA was launched in 2016 to support the CAR government “in the implementation of the Security Sector Reform”, mission description from the EU said.
Portugal’s Defence Minister and Chief of Staff presented medals to the awarded service members. Photo: National Guard of Georgia.
Concentrated on the Bangui area, the mission serves to provide strategic advice, operational training and education to personnel of the Central African Armed Forces.
The mission has involved Georgian service members since January 2017. Peacekeepers from the country have participated in various EU peacekeeping missions in the CAR since 2014.