Georgia and France Deepen Military Cooperation
BATUMI, Georgia – Georgia’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) stated Georgia and France are deepening military cooperation and the proof of this is the visit of French National Military Navy ship ‘Premier-Maître L'Her’ in the port of Georgia’s Black Sea town, Batumi.
According to the Ministry, the visit of the French military vessel in Georgian territorial waters was carried out in the framework of French-Georgian cooperation and is the demonstration of the support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member nations are providing for the region.
Georgia’s Defense Minister, Levan Izoria stated that Georgia has a fruitful experience of bilateral partnership with the French side. He said that this year, Georgia is celebrating 10th anniversary of Sachkhere Mountain Training School together with the French side and plan to implement important projects especially for the development of national air defense system.
“We are hosting the French navy ship that is a clear demonstration of the NATO countries` support of Georgia`s integration into the alliance. This fact proves that concrete steps have been taken in terms of executing decisions adopted at the Warsaw Summit, in particular, in the context of providing security in the Black Sea Region,” Izoria stated at the official welcome ceremony in Batumi.
The French side announced about the increase of bilateral relationship with Georgia during French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s first visit to Georgia in September. Le Drian then said France would help Georgia to develop and modernize its defensive weapons systems, including surface-to-air missiles.
“I had the opportunity to tell my colleague that we are determined to strengthen our presence on the Black Sea as part of bilateral our cooperation. The partnership between Georgia and France is intensive, reliable and constructive”, stated Jean-Yves Le Drian today.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister, Mikheil Janelidze also attended the reception. The Minister noted that military cooperation between the two countries is highly important especially for Georgia’s integration with NATO.
“France supports Georgia along its European and Euro-Atlantic integration path. This support is essential to the implementation of the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package, in terms of maritime and air security,” Janelidze said.
Moreover, French Ambassador to Georgia Pascal Meunier passed mountaineering equipment to the Sachkhere mountaineering school, which was set up with French assistance.
The French military vessel, ‘Premier-Maître L'Her’ that entered Batumi yesterday, has been conducting patrolling for already 25 years. Its crew consists of 7 officers, 58 marine officers and 24 quartermasters. The ship will leave Batumi Port on October 20.
Photo: French National Navy ship ‘Premier-Maître L'Her’ arrived in Batumi port yesterday
Source: Ministry of Defense
By Thea Morrison