Defence Minister candidate highlights Defence Forces “priority” of enhancing int’l partnerships
Chikovani reaffirmed the commitment to “sustained engagement” with NATO, the European Union, and the United States. Photo: Irakli Chikovani’s Facebook
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Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the candidate for the position of the Defence Minister, on Monday highlighted the “priority” of enhancing international partnerships for the development of the nation's Defence Forces in his address to Parliamentary committees.
Chikovani reaffirmed the commitment to “sustained engagement” with NATO, the European Union, the United States - as “the key strategic partner” of Georgia - as well as other regional and international partners through both bilateral and multilateral channels, and also pointed to the “genuine role” of political and practical support from major allies.
He also underscored Georgia's “steady progress” towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration, citing the “milestone” of the EU membership candidate status being granted to the country in December as a “testament” to this trajectory.
The official also highlighted initiatives aimed at reinforcing national defence and deterrence capabilities, aimed at enhancing territorial defence and resilience, alignment with NATO standards, implementation of institutional reforms and expedition of the modernisation of the Defence Forces.
He also stressed the importance of fostering partnerships within the region, particularly highlighting the tripartite cooperation with Azerbaijan and Turkey, and announced Georgia's intention to host a tripartite defence ministerial later this year.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the candidate for the position of the Defence Minister, on Monday said European integration was “creating the best conditions for the peaceful development and reunification” of the country.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the candidate for the position of the Prime Minister of Georgia, on Friday presented his Government composition to the Parliament bureau.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday said in order for Georgia to develop the potential of the Middle Corridor, a logistics route connecting Central Asia and China to Europe, China’s participation in this process was necessary.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday said the country’s role as a regional mediator had been “strengthened” during the term of Irakli Garibashvili as the Prime Minister.
Four of the Georgian Parliament’s committees on Monday backed the new composition of the country’s Government and its programme for “building a European state” following changes sparked by the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and nomination of the ruling Georgian Dream party Chair Irakli Kobakhidze as his replacement last week.