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
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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.
I spoke with ???????? Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze from @ModGovGe to discuss the enduring U.S. commitment to help Georgia strengthen its deterrence and defensive capabilities, Georgia’s ongoing defense reforms, and security challenges facing Georgia and the South Caucasus. pic.twitter.com/RhbrLoPCn2
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) February 9, 2023
The US official also stressed the service and sacrifice of Georgian peacekeeping units alongside US and NATO forces in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In October 2021, Austin and Burchuladze met in Georgia, where the US Secretary announced the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative.
He said the package was designed to “make important reforms in the Georgian military, Georgian Ministry of Defence and armed forces and to strengthen their territorial defence and resilience capacity”.