2019 was yet another outstanding year in U.S.-Georgia relations marked by high-level interaction and cooperation in support of Georgia’s total defense approach and Euro-Atlantic integration.
An increased number of working and high-level visits illustrated our continuous commitment to strengthening our bilateral strategic partnership. Among many important engagements, the most remarkable ones were the visits of the Minister of Defense of Georgia to the U.S. and the significant number of visits by senior U.S. representatives to Georgia. The most notable visits included: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura K. Cooper, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Europe Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, Commanding General of the Georgia Army National Guard, Brigadier General Randall Simmons, Deputy Commanding General for the Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, the Adjutant General Major General Thomas M. Carden Jr, Director of J-7 & EUCOM Senior Reserve Advisor Major General Jeffrey P. Kramer, U.S. Army Commander of the 7th Army Training Command Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Norrie, etc.
It is especially important to note that the Minister of Defense of Georgia, Mr. Irakli Garibashvili had an extremely successful visit to the U.S. in November 2019, where we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the State Partnership with the State of Georgia National Guard. His engagements with senior USG and DoD representatives were exceptionally fruitful and had a substantial strategic impact. The U.S.-Georgia Bilateral Defense Consultations at the Pentagon capped the State Partnership Anniversary events. The comprehensive talks depicted the strong and longstanding bilateral defense relationship and the parties signed the three year U.S.-Georgia Security Cooperation Framework. Through the updated agreement, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Georgia identified overarching objectives and reiterated the enhancement of bilateral security cooperation. Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili emphasized that the U.S.-Georgia partnership has never been stronger and the signed agreement creates a solid foundation for an even stronger alliance. The U.S.-Georgia Security Cooperation Framework is fully in line with the ongoing defense transformation process that aims for further development of readiness and sustainable capabilities as well as modernization of Georgian Defense Forces.
A number of achievements in 2019 speak to the success of our strong and enduring bilateral relationship:
- Georgia made remarkable progress in the U.S. supported Georgia Defense Readiness Program. GDRP-I continues to develop systems and processes necessary for long-term sustainment. Furthermore, GDRP-I will ultimately result in institutionalized readiness systems across the entire GDF.
- Both territorial and pre-deployment training capability development were supported by a separate but GDRP aligned CTC/JTEC development. CTC is to become the bedrock for the Georgia Defense Forces training management system preparing units for all national missions.
- In parallel to developing territorial defense capabilities, Georgia firmly stands with the U.S. and continues its contributions to global security. We remain fully committed to our major bilateral engagement Georgia Deployment Program – Resolute Support Mission.
- Multinational Exercise Agile Spirit 2019 also contributed to making the year remarkable in U.S.-Georgia relations. The exercise was co-led by West Command of Defense Forces of Georgia and U.S. Army Europe. More than 3000 military service members of NATO member and partner countries participated in the exercise.
- It is essential to underline the fact that every port call conducted in 2019 once again demonstrated our continuous commitment to strengthening the partnership and alliance. USS Porter, USS Donald Cook and USS Ross visited Batumi Port throughout 2019. The U.S. ship visits also illustrated our joint commitment to promoting regional safety and stability, and maritime security on the Black Sea.
