NEWS

Georgian Defence Minister views US guided-missile destroyer docked in Batumi

Georgia officials stated that the ship entered the Black Sea for stability. Photo: Defence Ministry press office.

Agenda.ge, 24 Apr 2019 - 17:34, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria has viewed the US guided-missile destroyer USS Ross in Batumi earlier today and stated that Georgia-US relations have never been so close.

By entering, the ship strengthens stability both in Georgia and in the Black Sea region,” Izoria stated.

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze reiterated that US-Georgia relations are at an all time high and the call of the ship confirms US support for Georgia.

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze welcomes the ship crew. Photo: Prime Minister's press office.

We highly appreciate the support,” Bakhtadze said, while meeting with the ship crew yesterday.

USS Ross, which aims “to strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners” is visiting Georgia’s Black Sea port of Batumi on April 21-25.

The ship entered Georgia on April 21. Photo: Defence Ministry press office.

Russian news agency TASS reported earlier that Russian Navy Vasily Bykov-class patrol vessel and Russian Navy reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs were monitoring USS Ross' movements in the Black Sea.

Citing the Russian National Defence Management Centre, TASS said "upon entering the Black Sea, the US navy ship was placed under constant monitoring involving the fleet’s coastal surveillance facilities."

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