Georgian FM: US Defence Secretary’s visit ‘historic’, reaffirms US’ strong support
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani says the forthcoming visit of the US Defence Secretary to Georgia reaffirms the US’ strong support for the country. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office.
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Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani says that the visit of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to Georgia next week is ‘historic’ and reaffirms America’s strong support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Zalkaliani said earlier today that the visit points to the ‘special attitude’ of the US to strategic partnership with Georgia, which is based on ‘common values, interests and goals.’
The high-level visit is another clear message made by the US in support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, its stable and democratic development, and for the country’s Euro-Atlantic goals,” Zalkaliani said.
He stated that close Georgia-US cooperation in the defense field ‘plays a crucial role’ in bolstering Georgia’s compliance with NATO standards.
Lloyd Austin took the post of US Secretary of Defense earlier this year. Photo: politico.
Georgia is the US’ loyal ally and partner in the region, supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen international peace and security. Georgian and American soldiers have been standing side-by-side for years, including in NATO peace missions, to ensure international peace and security,” Zalkaliani said.
Zalkaliani added that the agenda of the visit is still being worked out.
However, we expect that meetings will be dedicated to the further deepening of cooperation, regional security issues, and the process of Georgia’s NATO integration,” Zalkaliani said.
Austin will visit Georgia, Romania, Ukraine and Brussels next week, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said at a briefing yesterday.
Further details of the upcoming visit, such as exact dates, were not disclosed.
In a latest round of upgrading their equipment to NATO-standard arms, the Georgian Defence Forces have received American-made machine guns and grenade launchers, the Ministry of Defence of Georgia announced on Thursday.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Georgia, Romania, Ukraine and Brussels next week, Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said at a briefing yesterday. “Austin and his team will be preparing for a trip to Europe next week. They will stay in Georgia, Ukraine and Romania, and he (Austin) will also conclude this important visit with allies and partners in Brussels, where the meeting of NATO defense ministers will take place,” Kirby said.
The United States Department of Defence has signed a contract with Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture on the production of the Javelin anti-tank missile systems for a number of countries, including Georgia. The Javelin Joint Venture will perform the works in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of June 25, 2020.
The United States has given a multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) to the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (JTEC), 'where it will be used to enhance the realism of combat training for the Georgian Defence Forces', announces the US Embassy to Georgia.
The US department of defence has announced that during his meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, Austin will underscore the importance of the US-Georgia strategic partnership in addressing regional and global security challenges as well.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Georgia earlier today, on what Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said was ‘a historic visit.’ FM Zalkaliani stated last week that the visit ‘reaffirms America’s strong support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.’ Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan welcomed Austin at Tbilisi International Airport.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Tbilisi earlier today, where he said that the American official’s visit ‘is a very strong message in support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.’
United States Deputy Assistant Secretary Erika Olson has arrived in Tbilisi as part of her trip to the South Caucasus. During the meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili earlier today, Olson hailed Georgia for assisting the US in evacuation efforts from Afghanistan.
“Thank you for hosting me in Georgia and for supporting the US-Georgia strategic partnership”, says US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in his official letter to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.