Georgia-U.S. military cooperation keeps expanding
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Garibashvili payed a visit to the U.S. to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the State Partnership between Georgia and the state of Georgia’s National Guard in Clay National Guard Center (CNGC), Atlanta/GA. While delivering a speech at the CNGC, the Defense Minister praised the role of the brilliant and brave officers and NCOs in the successful cooperation between Georgia and the USA and outlined that our exemplary relations will provide a solid platform for a strong alliance. “We attach the utmost importance to our powerful strategic partnership with the U.S. as we consolidate our democracy, transform and modernize our military, and integrate into NATO. America’s support for my state of Georgia has been unwavering. All Georgians are deeply grateful,” stated Minister Garibashvili.
The Defense Minister also viewed the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning in Georgia, where he held meetings with FBGA Commanding General, Major General Gary M. Brito and Commander of 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, Brigadier General Scott Jackson among others. Adjutant General, Georgia JFHQ-GA Major General Thomas M. Carden emphasized the importance of cooperation and awarded the Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Deputy Minister Lela Chikovani with the James Edward Oglethorpe Award for their dedication to the long-standing and strong strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia.
Minister participated in the wreath laying ceremony at National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center and paid a tribute to the memory of Georgian and American peacekeepers who have fallen in combat operations in Iraq. Georgian peacekeepers — Lieutenant Giorgi Margiev and Corporal Zurab Gvenetadze were killed while conducting combat patrols in Wahida, Iraq by an improvised explosive device on the 2nd of May 2008. By that time both soldiers served in the 13th Infantry Battalion of Georgian Armed Forces. “The names of the two Georgian peacekeepers, Corporal Zurab Gvenetadze and Lieutenant Giorgi Margievi engraved amongst the U.S. brothers and sisters in arms, here at the memorial site of Georgia National Infantry Museum, thousands of miles away from Georgia, speak about their bravery and sacrifice,” stated the Minister while honoring the heroes who sacrificed their lives for greater freedom, defending common values and goals for the protection and promotion of democratic values across the world.
Minister Garibashvili was greeted by the armed forces salute at the Pentagon on November 21st, where the set of meetings were held and a Georgia-US Security Cooperation Agreement was signed. The Agreement sets out priorities for the partnership over the next three years and aims to increase Georgia’s defense capabilities and interoperability with partner nations and armed forces in addition to reiterating the defense department’s support for the Georgian ministry.
Norquist Meets With Georgian Defense Minister
“Georgia has not only been a consumer of security and mentorship, but has contributed over 25,000 troops to international missions while sharing the accumulated knowledge and best practices with neighboring and partner nations under the auspices of various NATO programs… Georgia’s continued transformation and burden-sharing demonstrated clearly by our spending 2% of GDP on defense and commitment to buy major systems from the United States, and by being the largest troop contributor to international missions, prove that Georgia is one of the most reliable, interoperable and willing partners of America and NATO,” said the Minister Garibashvili at Pentagon greeting ceremony.
Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist said the U.S. Defense Department looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Defense and will seek opportunities to further strengthen that vital strategic partnership: “The strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia, based on a mutual commitment to defending and promoting shared values, has never been stronger.”
