PM highlights importance of Noble Partner defence drills, thanks “strategic partner” US for contribution

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday attended the closing event of the Noble Partner multinational defence drills and called the exercise “another consistent step” in deepening international cooperation, developing professionalism of the Georgian Defence Forces and its interoperability with NATO.

Garibashvili extended his gratitude to the military personnel involved in the drills and expressed his “special thanks” to the Georgian military, noting they had once again showed their “high professionalism and responsibility”, the Government Administration said.

This is another consistent step in deepening our international cooperation, professionalism of our praiseworthy army and interoperability with NATO. Year after year, our military, together with their counterparts from NATO member and partner countries, develop their capabilities and create strong ties”, the head of the Government said. 

In his remarks Garibashvili stressed the title of the annual manoeuvres expressed the main principle that “is the basis of our long-term, mutually reinforcing cooperation”.

I would like to thank all the countries involved in the drills, including the representatives of Japan and Sweden who participated in these exercise for the first time. I would like to express my special thanks to our praiseworthy military personnel who once again demonstrated their high level of professionalism and responsibility”, he continued. 

Garibashvili also extended his “special gratitude” to Georgia’s “main strategic partner”, the United States, for their contribution to the organisation and implementation of the event.

Our cooperation and partnership [with US] is one of strong and growing dynamics aimed at strengthening our nation's defence capability and resilience”, Garibashvili concluded.

More than 2,400 servicemembers from 21 countries were involved in this year’s Noble Partner drills that started on August 29.