Georgian Defence Minister, NATO Military Committee Chair discuss strengthening ties
The officials pointed out progress in Georgia's defence reform implementation, the significance of holding international exercises in the country and participation of its Defence Forces in joint exercises, as well as the state's “important role” in maintaining global security. Photo: Defence Ministry
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Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Wednesday met Admiral Rob Bauer, the visiting Chair of the NATO Military Committee, to discuss “main directions” of cooperation with the alliance and prospects of further strengthening ties, the Ministry of Defence said.
The sides also discussed the security environment of the Black Sea region and “existing challenges”, with the meeting also emphasising effective implementation of the enhanced Substantial NATO-Georgia Package and the “critical importance of the active involvement” of allies.
The officials pointed out progress in Georgia's defence reform implementation, the significance of holding international exercises in the country and participation of its Defence Forces in joint exercises, as well as the state's “important role” in maintaining global security.
Bauer put a wreath at the memorial of those fallen for the country’s territorial integrity, with the two-day visit of the Committee also involving inspection of the interdepartmental command and staff exercise Didgori 2023 and hosting of a plenary session.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday told the country’s Parliament Georgia’s security “significantly depended” on the effectiveness of its deterrence and defence policies.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday said about ₾360 million ($135mln) had been spent over the last four years on both construction and renovation projects to ensure “modernised infrastructure at the level of NATO member states” for military personnel of the country.
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Monday adopted three declarations of support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia as well as the necessity of a “quick” implementation of the bloc’s tailored support package for the country.
Georgia has carried out ‘impressive reforms’ while enhancing its defence capabilities through the substantial NATO-Georgia package, Head of NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer stated yesterday following two-day meetings of the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session (MCCS).
“Georgia’s relationship with the alliance contains all the practical tools to prepare for eventual membership. We are working closely with Georgia on security in the Black Sea region, in response to Russia’s increasingly destabilising activities, and welcome the steps taken to implement the refreshed Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. We stand ready to enhance our support to Georgia, including in building resilience against hybrid threats, in training and exercises, and in secure communications. We look forward to the next NATO-Georgia exercise in 2022,” said the communique.
Georgia’s foreign policy, ongoing military cooperation with NATO and regional security were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Admiral Rob Bauer, the visiting Chair of the NATO Military Committee, the Georgian Parliament said.
The visiting NATO Military Committee on Thursday held its plenary session in the format of cooperation with Georgia, the Defence Ministry said.
Irakli Beraia, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Defence and Security Committee, on Monday said cooperation between NATO and the country was at an “unprecedentedly high” level.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday left for Brussels to hold high-level meetings at NATO, the Parliament said.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili’s visit to NATO once again confirms the “comprehensive nature” of NATO-Georgia relations, Irakli Beraia, the Chair of the Defence and Security Committee of the country’s legislative body, said on Tuesday.
Juansher Burchuladze, the Georgian Defence Minister, on Tuesday met Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, to discuss domestic defence reforms and progress achieved in strengthening the country’s capabilities and increasing its compatibility with the bloc.