Georgian Defence Ministry says postponement of exercise Noble Partner in country is not “understandable”
"[i]nternational drills, including exercises in which units of different countries participate, are useful for both the Georgian Defence Forces and the US Armed Forces, as well as for representatives of all the states involved in these exercises. Consequently, we continue and also prepare for the exercises planned for 2025", he added.Photo: Defence Ministry.
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Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani on Saturday said the decision of the United States Department of Defence on “indefinitely” postponing this year’s Noble Partner multinational military exercise in Georgia, originally scheduled from July 25 to August 6, was not “understandable” for the Ministry.
Chikovani noted his Ministry and the US Department of Defence had many “various cooperation formats and this cooperation continues”.
"[i]nternational drills, including exercises in which units of different countries participate, are useful for both the Georgian Defence Forces and the US Armed Forces, as well as for representatives of all the states involved in these exercises. Consequently, we continue and also prepare for the exercises planned for 2025", he added.
On Friday, the US Department of Defence issued a statement, announcing the decision to “indefinitely postpone this iteration of exercise Noble Partner” 2024 due to the Georgian Government's “false accusations” against the United States and other western entities, “to pressure Georgia to open a second front against Russia to alleviate pressure on Ukraine, and of participating in two coup attempts against the [Georgian] ruling party”.
The statement also said the United States Government “has determined that this is an inappropriate time” to hold a large-scale military exercise in Georgia, adding the US would continue to partner with the Georgian Defence Forces as “we look to continue strengthening” Georgia's ability to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its territorial integrity.
In response to this statement, the Georgian Defence Ministry on that day noted international exercises, including the Noble Partner 2024, were “beneficial not only for Georgia, but for the United States and partner countries”, as they contributed to strengthening defence capabilities, adding “despite” the postponement of the exercise, “mutually beneficial” cooperation formats in defence and security sectors were continuing.