Georgian, Romanian defence ministers discuss security matters, Black Sea region challenges
The ministers signed a strategic agreement on defence cooperation, aimed at “further deepening” the existing cooperation. Photo: MOD of Georgia
Tweet 
Share
Security environment and challenges in the Black Sea region were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze and his Romanian counterpart Vasile Dîncu.
In the meeting, Burchuladze stressed Romania was one of the “loyal” supporters of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as its integration into the European Union and NATO, the defence ministry said.
Burchuladze also noted the cooperation between the countries was “important” for the stability in the Black Sea region, as deterrence against Russia's “aggressive actions” and in countering hybrid challenges.
The meeting discussed reforms carried out in the Georgian defence sector and aimed at developing compatibility with the NATO standards, as well as the implementation of the initiatives defined by the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package.
The officials reviewed the “growing dynamics” and future prospects of bilateral defence cooperation, the Georgian body also said. They also highlighted that Georgia’s cooperation with Romania was important in terms of strengthening defence capabilities, military education, and joint exercises.
The ministers signed a strategic agreement on defence cooperation, aimed at “further deepening” the existing cooperation.
Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova deserve “European family membership” to an equal degree, Bogdan Aurescu, Romania's Foreign Minister, said before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.
Cooperation between Georgia and Romania, and relations with NATO and the European Union were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili and Romanian defence minister Vasile Dîncu.
At the meeting between Salome Zourabichvili, the Georgian president and the Romanian prime minister Nicolae Ciucă, it was highlighted that Romania remained an “active supporter” of Georgia both in the European Union integration process and in various international forums, Teimuraz Janjalia, the Georgian deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday after the meeting.
Romanian president Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday said his country remained “one of the most important supporters” for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, after signing a declaration on strategic partnership between the two countries with his Georgian counterpart Salome Zourabichvili in Bucharest.
Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, the Chief of the Georgian Defence Forces, on Saturday discussed “strategic” partnership with the Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr and General Daniel Petrescu, the Chief of the Defence Staff of Romania, in his visit to the country.