Georgian defence minister, US undersecretary of state discuss ongoing, planned reforms, cooperation
Juansher Burchuladze, the minister of defence of Georgia, on Friday met with Bonnie Jenkins, the US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. Photo: defence ministry press office
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Juansher Burchuladze, the minister of defence of Georgia, on Friday discussed ongoing and planned reforms in his body, as well as the “30-year-old cooperation and partnership” with the United States in a Tbilisi meeting with Bonnie Jenkins, the US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, the defence ministry said.
Thanking the US official for her country’s “continued support” for the development of Georgia’s armed forces, the minister emphasised the importance of the “strategic partnership between the two countries for the protection of common values and the strengthening of common security interests”.
MoD Burchuladze hosted @UnderSecT Amb. Jenkins in Tbilisi.
— MOD Georgia (@ModGovGe) October 7, 2022
Parties discussed defence reforms, GDDEI initiative, steps made to modernize equipment & weapons of ???????? Defence Forces and future plans. pic.twitter.com/lrEtRwSQB0
The officials focused on the Georgia Defence and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative, signed between the sides last year, during the first official visit of the US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin to Georgia.
The agreement aims to promote further modernisation and development of Georgia's defence forces, with the two sides in the meeting noting its role in supporting common security interests and pledging to provide efforts for an “even closer” partnership.
Jenkins is on a three-day working visit to Georgia and holding bilateral meetings with government officials and political leaders.
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Cooperation between Georgia and the United States, including in the successful programmes for strengthening the capabilities of Georgia’s revenue service, was discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian finance minister Lasha Khutsishvili and Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.
Current developments in Georgia and the Black Sea region were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili and Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.
Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, on Thursday said the Tbilisi-based Lugar laboratory of the national centre for disease control was a “pioneer” in Georgia's fight against Covid-19 and noted the US’ “pride” in its cooperation with the laboratory.