Defense Minister, US Ambassador to Georgia Discuss Partnership Issues

Defense Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia, Kelly Degnan.
Garibashvili thanked the newly appointed ambassador for the US support towards Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and once again underlined the irreversibility of the country's European and Euro-Atlantic course.

The meeting focused on opportunities for further deepening strategic partnership and cooperation in the field of defense between the two countries.

The defense minister noted that the strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia, based on a joint effort to protect and promote common values, has never been so strong.

The parties highlighted important measures aimed at enhancing Georgia's defense capabilities, such as Georgia's Defense Readiness Program (GDRP), increasing external funding (FMF) and increased scale of joint exercises. Special emphasis was also given to the contribution of the Georgian military in ensuring world security.

At the meeting, US Ambassador Degnan expressed support for the successful reforms in the Georgian Defense Forces and emphasized readiness to deepen cooperation.

The meeting held at the Ministry of Defense of Georgia was attended by First Deputy Defense Minister Lela Chikovani, Georgian lieutenant general and the incumbent Chief of Georgian Defense Forces Vladimer Chachibaia, the US Defense Attaché to Georgia Colonel Stephanie Begley and US Navy Attaché, Lieutenant General Carl Witt. 

The newly appointed US Ambassador Kelly Degnan arrived in Georgia on January 29 to start her tenure. She has already held meetings with the Georgian Patriarch, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri. 

By Ana Dumbadze 

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