13th Georgia Defence and Security Conference opens in Batumi
Four sessions dedicated to defence and security issues will take place during the conference. Photo: Eitvydas Bajarunas.
Tweet 
Share
Georgian top officials, decision-makers, experts and foreign guests have gathered in Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi to attend the 13th Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC) to discuss current defence and security issues and challenges.
The following sessions are scheduled to take place during the two-day conference:
- Rationalizing Evolving Security Environment in the Black Sea Region – the Georgian Ministry of Defence reports that Russia’s increased military build-up in the Black Sea region has encouraged NATO to bolster its presence in the area.
NATO has taken steps to strengthen the security of allies and partners in the region, thus the Black Sea region’s political, military and economic significance, as well as its security and stability has once again re-emerged,” the ministry said.
- Georgia on the Right Track for NATO and EU Membership – the ministry says that the “firm decision of most Georgians” to join the European and Euro-Atlantic family continues to result in the “highest level” of popular support for NATO and the European Union in Georgia.
Tomorrow in Batumi #Georgia ???????? - Editor in Chief Adam Reichardt will be moderating a discussion during the Georgia Defence and Security Conference titled "Georgia on the right track for NATO and EU Membership"
— New Eastern Europe (@NewEastEurope) November 5, 2019
See the agenda here: https://t.co/9Etp8tT3xC pic.twitter.com/JgCQncKm2g
Are the allies and the member countries today encouraging and fairly treating those who - despite external pressure - firmly continue to uphold the values of freedom and democracy? Are we sending a clear message to Russia, who tries to create territorial divisions in Europe and resort to military force in order to restrict the freedom of nations to pursue their own future? The participants of this plenary session will be encouraged to talk about the NATO open door policy and the strategic momentum to extend an invitation to Georgia,” said the ministry.
- Georgia’s Strategic Readiness: From Words to Action - on the way to NATO and EU membership, Georgia has developed a new approach which combines strategic readiness with principles that develop sustainable territorial defence and the required defence capabilities that are compatible with NATO standards, which will ensure swift integration of Georgia into the alliance once the membership invitation is extended, the ministry said.
This plenary session will be dedicated to the transformation process of the Georgian defence forces and the efforts of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia to improve its institutional capacity and modernize operational capabilities as well as the equipment of the defence forces.
- Hybrid Tactics and Hybrid Threats- Walking a tightrope - the use of hybrid strategies, development of information operations and cyber capabilities have enabled Russia to direct its efforts towards shaping political narratives in many countries, the Ministry of Defence says.
The Defence Ministry writes that the session will be dedicated to analysing Russian hybrid tactics, with special attention on cyber issues.
Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria is taking part in the NATO two-day foreign minister in Brussels, assembled to discuss pressing security issues, including Russia’s violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and to review NATO peace missions.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has stated at the international Georgian Defence and Security Conference in Tbilisi today that Georgia’s integration into NATO is the guarantee of peace and security in the country.
Germany’s Ambassador to NATO Hans-Dieter Lucas has signed a decree which envisages the allocation of €500,000 for certain projects of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Substantial Package (SNGP).
Georgian defence and security experts and their international partners are hosting a conference in Tbilisi on the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package initiative.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze and Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili have spoken about the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia at the 13th Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC) earlier today. Zurabishvili said that the occupation of 20 per cent of Georgian lands by Russia and the creeping occupation “is a daily security challenge for us, which may turn into a more serious conflict anytime.”
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who came to Georgia late yesterday to attend the Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC), says that the US Democrats and Republicans have disagreements on various issues but when it concerns Georgia, “we are unanimous.” He spoke about the security challenges coming from Russia during the conference, stating that the US is trying to help the European states “defeat the Russian energy blackmail.”
Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili says that NATO-Georgia relations can be explained in just four words: ‘be patient, but ready’. He said that “unlike the previous state leadership”, the Georgian Dream government “has never created false expectations” regarding Georgian membership in NATO.
A new framework deal between Georgia and the United States takes defence and security cooperation between the two states to an "essentially new level", the Ministry of Defence of Georgia announced after the signing of the agreement at the Pentagon on Thursday.