Ministry of Defence of Georgia
February 27, 2014
Meeting with NATO and EU Military Representatives
The Defence Minister of Georgia pays an official visit to Brussels. Within the visit, Irakli Alasania held meetings at European Defence Agency. While meeting with Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, Gen. Patrick de Rousiers, the sides discussed Georgian soldiers’ engagement in EUFOR RCA [Central African Republic] and the specific details of the peacekeeping mission.
The Chief of the European Union Military Committee focused on the professionalism and high level of combat readiness of the Georgian military. “Georgia’s military cooperation with EU and NATO is developing dynamically. Georgia intends to engage in EUFOR RCA. This was one of the main purposes of the meeting with the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee. We have discussed the details of peacekeeping mission in RCA. EU considers Georgia as a reliable partner which will participate in the mission,” stated Georgian Defence Minister after the meeting.
On the sidelines of the visit to Belgium, the Georgian Delegation also visited the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Defence Minister Irakli Alasania met with the Commander of the US European Command, General Philip M. Breedlove. The sides talked over the bilateral cooperation in military sphere; they also referred to NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan and upcoming plans. “We have discussed the ongoing mission in Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation issues as well, in which format Georgia will be provided with the additional defence capabilities. Hence, we will refer to improve our military capabilities and to contribute in the post-ISAF mission,” outlined the Defence Minister of Georgia.
In NATO HQ, in Brussels, Minister Irakli Alasania will attend the meeting of defence ministers with ISAF contributing partners and the Afghan Defence Minister. Within the framework of the Ministerial, Defence Minister of Georgia will hold bilateral meetings with his Norwegian, Azerbaijanian and Afghan counterparts.
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