Georgia: NATO Consolidates Military Outpost In The Caucasus

Ministry of Defence of Georgia
February 12, 2014
Chairman of NATO Military Committee visits Ministry of Defence

Minister of Defence of Georgia Irakli Alasania met with Chairman of NATO Military Committee General Knud Bartels. [The] Top military official of the North-Atlantic Alliance is paying an official visit to Georgia.
Chief of the General Staff of GAF Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze, Deputy Minister of Defence Mikheil Darchiashvili, Military Representative of Georgia to the North-Atlantic Alliance COL Irakli Dzneladze and other representatives of Ministry attended the meeting held in the MoD.
Georgian Minister of Defence, Chief of the General Staff and Chairman of NATO MC held a briefing for the media representatives after the meeting.
Irakli Alasania thanked General Bartels for cooperation and talked on the future of NATO-Georgia cooperation: “Cooperation between the military of Georgia and NATO is practically the same as between the military of NATO member nations. The trust and experience of joint combat operations already exist. We have talked with General Bartels on the future of bilateral military partnership which is deepening intensively. After this meeting the generals will discuss different aspects of cooperation at the technical level. I would like to wish them fruitful and successful day and I should say that enhancement of military and political partnership between Georgia and NATO is one of the key factors for full-scale integration into the European Family.”
General Bartels tanked the Georgian side for its contribution to the global security: “we are honored to be here today to discuss Georgia’s security and defence transformation, your contribution to the Euro-Atlantic security and prospects of NATO-Georgia military cooperation.
“Let me start by expressing our sincere appreciation of Georgia’s strong contribution to the ISAF Operation, intended participation in the post -2014 mission in Afghanistan and the NATO Response Force. Let me once use this opportunity to express my thoughts to the families of the fallen soldiers from the Georgian Armed Forces. And also our thoughts are going to those who are wounded in action. All those military engagements are clear demonstrations of Georgia’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.
“From speaking with Mr. Alasania and Major-General Kapanadze, I have gained insight on Georgia’s significant progress in achieving its ambitious defence reforms. The NATO Military Committee strongly supports these reforms and looks forward to strengthening military cooperation, both in terms of operational engagements and interoperability in order to maintain the beneficial partnership we have built throughout the years.
“As I made clear during our discussions, NATO stands side-by-side with Georgia on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. We are committed to assisting your country strengthen defence capabilities, with the aim of creating a highly capable, agile, modern and professional armed force that is fully interoperable with NATO.
“To conclude, Georgia is a highly valued military partner for NATO and I look forward to our next discussions in the Military Committee with Georgia on military specific issues.”
Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze also stressed importance of military cooperation with NATO: “the visit of MC in Georgia is significant for us. It highlights the NATO`s position towards our armed forces and the reforming process ongoing in the MoD and GAF. During the meeting we have reviewed the issues which are the topics of our regular discussions, including reforms in the GAF, defence sector as well as participation of Georgian troops in international peacekeeping operations ongoing under the aegis of NATO.
“A special focus was made on the willingness of GAF to take into account the foreign experience as well as to share its own expertise with many countries and to help them develop their armed forces.
“I would like to emphasize that GAF are carrying out their mission in close interaction with NATO which aims at enhancement of defence capabilities of the country and serves to Georgia`s NATO aspirations.”
Following the meeting MC session will officially open in the Hotel “Radisson Blue Iveria”. Georgia`s security and defence transformation, Georgia`s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security and NATO-Georgia military cooperation will be discussed at the session.
NATO MC is holding the session in Georgia for the first time. Two-day official visit of NATO high-ranking military representatives began yesterday in Georgia.
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Ministry of Defence of Georgia
February 12, 2014
NATO Military Committee Session Completed
NATO Military Committee Session has been officially closed. In 28+1 format NMC and the representatives of the Georgian Armed Forces discussed cooperation issues in defence and military spheres. The specific directions aimed at strengthening future cooperation were also topics of the session. This cooperation will promote further transformation and enhancing NATO interoperability of the Georgian Armed Forces.
Georgia’s contribution to NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan was highlighted at the NMC session. Future cooperation plans with NATO, participation of Georgian Armed Forces in post-ISAF mission after 2014 were also outlined at the meeting.
Major-General Vakhtang Kapanadze evaluated the results of the NMC session: “The meeting was very interesting and we received a number of questions. We provided our guests with updated information about the ongoing reforms in the Georgian Armed Forces and Defence Ministry. Georgia’s contribution to global security and improving military interoperability with NATO military forces were also on the top of the agenda. We set specific directions and clarified further steps. NATO highly appreciates the reforms carried out in Georgia”.
Following the NMC Session, Deputy Defence Minister Mikheil Darchiashvili made a comment for the media representatives: “We discussed the progress achieved on the path to NATO integration and defence reformation process. Of course, NATO highly appreciates Georgia’s contribution to ISAF international mission in Afghanistan. We referred to a wide range of issues. NATO side has positively evaluated our reforms made in defence and military sphere”.
NATO Military Committee is holding the session in Georgia for the first time. MC is the highest military authority of NATO. Its main function is to present recommendations to the North-Atlantic Council on military policy and strategy and to give directions to the NATO strategic commanders. The Committee is staffed by the military representatives of NATO member countries.

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