US Defense Secretary welcomes Georgia's “outsized effect” on regional security, announces more assistance

The US official also stressed the service and sacrifice of Georgian peacekeeping units alongside US and NATO forces in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters

Agenda.ge, 10 Feb 2023 - 12:10, Tbilisi,Georgia

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday said his country “deeply appreciated” Georgia's “outsized effect” on security and stability in the South Caucasus region and around the world.

In his remarks at a Washington meeting with his Georgian counterpart Juansher Burchuladze, Austin noted the security partnership between the two states was continuing to deepen, and revealed an assistance effort for Georgia.

Today, I'm pleased to announce that we've approved Georgia for the risk-assessed payment schedule so Georgia will be able to request and acquire vital military capabilities more easily. This announcement reflects the value that we place on our bilateral defence relationship and our partnership”, Austin said.

“Georgia deepened its ties to the West and supported its path to Euro-Atlantic integration. And over that time, Georgia has made significant contributions to global security”, Austin noted.