US: defence secretary visit to reaffirm US support to Georgia, strategic partnership
Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby announced earlier this week that US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will be visiting Georgia, Romania, Ukraine and Brussels.Photo: politico
Tweet 
Share
United States Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, who will be travelling to Europe this weekend, will reaffirm his country’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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.
The leaders will also discuss bilateral security cooperation and encourage greater regional cooperation in the Black Sea”, the US department of defence said.
The department ‘steadfastly supports its European Allies and partners in the face of Russia’s destabilising actions in the critical Black Sea region’.
The Secretary looks forward to meeting with his counterparts and other senior officials to reinforce the United States’ commitment to a safe, stable, and prosperous Europe”, the announcement reads.
On his European trip Secretary Austin will also visit Ukraine, and Romania and participate in the NATO Defense Ministerial in Belgium.
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.’
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 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 United States is funding the equipment of the Georgian Defence Forces with 600 M249 portable, gas operated, light machine guns, or Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) 'as part of our commitment to Georgia's defence and territorial integrity', announces the US Embassy to Georgia.
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.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze signed a memorandum of understanding on the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement (GDDE) Initiative earlier today in Tbilisi. “This initiative marks a new phase of our bilateral security cooperation, and it demonstrates the US’ commitment to supporting Georgia,” Austin said.
While in Tbilisi yesterday on his first official visit, Austin met with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. "In both meetings, Austin discussed the regional security situation and, in particular, the threat posed by Russia to Georgia and Black Sea region. Austin conveyed unwavering US support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the US Department of Defence stated earlier today.
“Multilateral, close and continuous” cooperation in defence between Georgia and the United States was discussed on Wednesday in a farewell meeting between the Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and the outgoing United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan.