Georgian Gov’t working with int’l partners to develop country’s defence - Minister

Irakli Chikovani, the newly appointed Minister of Defence of Georgia, was cited by the Ministry on Thursday as saying the Government was working with international partners to develop the country’s defence forces.

The Ministry cited Chikovani from his interview with Imedi TV as saying his office had “very good and dynamic” cooperation with international defence partners.

I would like to emphasise that I have already had very interesting meetings with ambassadors, [and] several other meetings are already planned. We are talking about work in these discussions, which go beyond just introductory meetings”, he said.

Chikovani said he was set to participate in meetings of the European Union-Georgia Association Council and NATO-Georgia Commission, scheduled next week in Brussels, together with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

The official added the meetings were a “very important opportunity” for him as the newly appointed Minister and also a “clear statement” of how the Government planned to continue relations with its international partners.