Georgian Ambassador hails US defence ties as additional $33 mln aid announced
Georgia’s United States Ambassador David Zalkaliani on Friday said the recent meeting between the Georgian and the US top defence officials was expected to further strengthen ties. Photo: David Zalkaliani’s twitter
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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 aid was announced by Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin following his meeting with Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, with the American official saying his office had notified the Congress in January of its intent to fund security assistance for Georgia, as part of the Georgia Defence and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative, signed between the countries in 2021.
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
He also reaffirmed the US’ support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and praised the country’s contribution to international peace and security through its engagement in various foreign peace missions for years.
In his remarks for the media, Zalkaliani said the messages heard at the meeting had “confirmed the strategic partnership” in defence and security between the states had been “upgraded to an all-time high” under the current Georgian Government. The diplomat also said the meeting was expected to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
At a press briefing with the Georgian official, Austin also announced his office had approved Georgia for the risk-assessed payment schedule, leading to the country being 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.
For his part, Burchuladze hailed the country’s “strategic partnership” with the US as “essential for Georgia's defence, deterrence and peaceful and stable development”.
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”.
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.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze signed a memorandum of understanding on the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement (GDDE) Initiative earlier today in Tbilisi. “This initiative marks a new phase of our bilateral security cooperation, and it demonstrates the US’ commitment to supporting Georgia,” Austin said.
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.
General Christopher Cavoli, the Commander of the United States European Command, hosted Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze at his residence in Brussels to discuss cooperation between the two states, the Georgian Ministry said on Thursday.
The long-term strategic partnership and the prospects of future cooperation between Georgia and the United States were discussed on Saturday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and General Christopher Cavoli, the Commander of US European Command, in a meeting held within the ongoing Munich Security Conference.
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.
A deal for defence cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijani was signed on Monday between Juansher Burchuladze and Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the defence ministers of the two states.