Georgian Defence Minister says US partnership “essential” in Washington visit
In his remarks at a Washington meeting with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, Burchuladze noted his Government treasured the partnership and “our shared beliefs, values and interests”. Photo: MOD of Georgia
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Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Thursday hailed the country’s strategic partnership with the United States as “essential for Georgia's defence, deterrence and peaceful and stable development”.
In his remarks at a Washington meeting with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, Burchuladze noted his Government treasured the partnership and “our shared beliefs, values and interests”.
The Georgian Defence Forces proudly serve with the US and allied troops in the most dangerous spots to safeguard the common security. We have brought [...] sustained forces together and endured together, and that has made our partnership even stronger. Georgia is the US’ trusted ally and key partner both regionally and globally”, Burchuladze said.
The Georgian official stressed the unity between the two partners had “never been more important than today”, noting “peace and stability and rules-based international order of the democratic world” was being challenged by Russia's “unjustified, illegal and brutal” occupation of the Georgian territories and its invasion of Ukraine.
We appreciate and commend you personally, and the US Government, for your great leadership, and stand with you in support of Ukraine in their fight for freedom. Through wars and struggles, we have learned the price of peace and freedom”, Burchuladze told the American official.
In comments at the meeting, the Defence Minister also highlighted the Defence and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative between the US and Georgia and other bilateral activities, and said the efforts were transforming an “exemplary partnership into a powerful alliance”.
He also said the ties were building capabilities that “contribute to peace and stability, not only Georgia, but also the wider Black Sea region”.
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.
Strategic cooperation between Georgia and the United States in defence and security was discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and his American counterpart Lloyd Austin.
Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday said the Georgian Government had complied with financial sanctions imposed by the international community on Russia following the latter’s invasion of Ukraine “from the very beginning”.
The “difficult” situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia amid the war in Ukraine and the security situation in the Black Sea region were discussed on Monday in a meeting between David Zalkaliani, the Georgian Ambassador to the United States and Louis Bono, the Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations of the US Department of State.
Georgia’s United States Ambassador David Zalkaliani on Friday said his country’s defence and security ties with the US had reached an “all-time high”, in comments on the meeting between the top defence officials of the two countries in the Pentagon on Thursday that came together with an announcement of additional $33 million in security aid for Georgia.
The important programmes, carried out with the support of the United States for strengthening Georgia’s defence capabilities, were discussed on Saturday in a meeting between Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and General Daniel Hokanson, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau of the US.
Robin Dunnigan, the nominee for the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday said the country had taken “important steps to support Ukraine” amid the ongoing Russian aggression.
Arun Venkataraman, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the United States Foreign Commercial Service, on Monday said the Georgian Government was complying with and respecting international sanctions and export controls imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
“Multilateral, close and continuous” cooperation in defence between Georgia and the United States was discussed on Wednesday in a farewell meeting between the Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and the outgoing United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday highlighted the “close and continuous” cooperation with international partners, especially with the main strategic partner - the United States, adding the partnership with the US “is increasing and strengthening each year”.