Ministry of Defence of Georgia
March 1, 2014
Solid Achievements in Georgia’s Defense Reforms Highlighted by the USA
On February 26, 2014 Deputy Defense Minister of Georgia Mr. Mikheil Darchiashvili participated in the Plenary Session of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission in the US Department of State under the auspices of the fourth Omnibus Meeting of US-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission co-chaired by the Secretary of State of the United States, John Kerry and Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili.
Plenary session overviewed the progress achieved through the intensive bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia within the framework of four working groups of Strategic Partnership Charter, including the working group on defense and security. Both sides highlighted the progress on US-Georgia defense cooperation focused on NATO interoperability and self-defense capabilities including the recent decision of the United States to sponsor Georgia’s participation in the NATO Response Force. Deputy Minister evaluated the progress in Enhanced Defense Cooperation directions including two new areas identified recently and reiterated Georgia’s request to the US to embrace the new initiatives.
The US side commended Georgia’s solid achievements in defense reform process, and expressed its support for Georgia’s efforts to share its experience and best practices in defense transformation to other partner nations. The United States reiterated its commitment to support Georgia’s NATO and EU membership.
Hereby, Deputy Minister thanked the US side for its support to the development of wounded warrior treatment and rehabilitation capabilities in Georgia and reiterated our commitment to support the NATO-ISAF mission as well as the Resolute Support Mission beyond 2014. The United States thanked Georgia for its tremendous contribution and reiterated readiness to support Georgia’s such efforts. Both parties recognized the potential of the successful Northern Distribution Network to transform into a commercial network for trade and investment by working together.
The plenary session of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership was concluded with the Joint Statement by the parties. http://www.state.gov
Within the framework of the visit the Deputy Minister Darchiashvili had a meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Evelyn Farkas. The parties discussed progress in Georgia’s defense transformation process and all aspects of US-Georgia bilateral defense cooperation.
Mikheil Darchiashvili also had meetings with the representatives of the US Congress.
Deputy Minister Darchiashvili also had the meetings with the representatives of the think-tanks Brookings Institute, Atlantic Council of the United States and the Center of New American Security.
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