Georgian PM on US report on terrorism: Georgia-US security cooperation should become ‘more and more effective’
Georgian Prime Minister says that US-Georgia security cooperation helps ensure peace and stability in the region. Photo: US Embassy, Tbilisi.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says that the most recent report on terrorism by the US Department of State has ‘highly praised’ the activities of Georgian law enforcement and security agencies, adding that US-Georgia cooperation in the security field should become ‘more and more effective.’
Of course, we should do our best to cooperate with our strategic partner, the US, especially in the security field, for it to become more and more effective. We should understand that we have our role in the region. The role, first of all, is [ensuring] peace and security and our cooperation with the US in this regard is gaining more importance,” Gakharia said earlier today.
The US Department of State said in its recent report on terrorism that in 2019, Georgia, ‘a longstanding member’ of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, ‘continued its robust engagement’ with the US across a range of counterterrorism-related issues.
Georgia participated in numerous bilateral counterterrorism (CT) exercises and trainings with the United States and remained a strong US security partner”, the report says.
It also noted that although there were no terrorist incidents in Georgia in 2019, the country is generally capable of detecting, deterring and responding to terrorism incidents.
The report said that the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), which is the head agency for terrorism-related incidents and investigations, is overall 'well-equipped and well-trained', while its counterterrorism unit 'continues to receive regular training and equipment'.
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The US Department of State said in its recent report on terrorism that in 2019 Georgia, ‘a longstanding member’ of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, ‘continued its robust engagement’ with the US across a range of counterterrorism-related issues.
For the first time in the history of the Georgian Defence Forces, recruits enrolled in the Basic Combat Training (BCT) course will receive a salary of 500 GEL, announces the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.
The Georgian government has adopted a National Counterterrorism Strategy. The strategy was developed by a permanent Interagency Commission comprised of different state authorities and chaired by the State Security Service.
Georgian officials have expressed solidarity with Austria in the aftermath of a deadly terrorist attack in the capital Vienna last night that killed at least four people and injured 17.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze have congratulated the United States President-elect Joe Biden on his election victory. Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said that Georgia looks forward to continue ‘further strengthening the US-Georgia Strategic partnership’ under his presidency.
The Government of Georgia will approve the National Counterterrorism Strategy and Action Plan on Monday, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced at today’s government meeting.
The United States Department of State's 2021 Country Report on Terrorism on Tuesday said Georgia had continued its “robust engagement” on counterterrorism issues throughout that year and remained a “strong” security partner for the United States.