Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Garibashvili attends a meeting of NATO Defense Ministers, which takes place at NATO headquarters, in Brussels on February 12-13.
On February 12, Garibashvili held a bilateral meeting with his Lithuanian colleague Raimundas Karoblis. Defense Minister underlined Lithuania’s “great importance” in supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and defense transformation.
Today I met with Lithuanian colleague Raimundas Karoblis at @NATO. Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration & defence transformation requires active support from international partners. In this context, our long-standing friendship with #Lithuania has great importance. @Lithuanian_MoD pic.twitter.com/Y7XsD1AFdH
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 12, 2020
According to Lithuania’s permanent delegation to NATO, the two sides agreed on further cooperation, including strengthening Georgia’s military infrastructure and cyber defense, as well as the implementation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package.
Ahead of #NATO #DefMin meeting 🇱🇹 DefMin R. Karoblis held 1st bilateral consultations with 🇬🇪 DefMin @GharibashviliGe. Ministers agreed on further 🇱🇹-🇬🇪 cooperation, including strengthening 🇬🇪 mil. infrastructure & cyber defence, implementation of Substantial NATO-Georgia Package pic.twitter.com/yWqMudn4iB
— Lithuania in NATO (@LitdelNATO) February 12, 2020
During his meeting with Romanian Defense Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, Garibashvili discussed Black Sea security and Georgia’s NATO membership perspectives. He emphasized Romania’s contribution to the Substantial NATO-Georgia package. The colleagues agreed on exchanging visits in the future.
I met with Romanian colleague Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca at @NATO & discussed strengthening our defence cooperation, Black Sea security & Georgia's #NATO membership perspectives. We highlighted Romania's contribution to the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package and agreed to exchange visits. pic.twitter.com/mBKBR3gI3F
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 12, 2020
Georgia’s Defense Minister also met his Bulgarian counterpart Krasimir Karakachanov. “We reviewed Bulgaria’s contribution to the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package and our participation in multinational exercises,” stated Garibashvili.
I met with Bulgarian colleague Krasimir Karakachanov @NATO & discussed our efforts to strengthen defence cooperation & security in the Black Sea region. We reviewed Bulgaria's contribution to the Substantial #NATO-Georgia Package & our participation in multinational exercises. pic.twitter.com/QAjTw9toDp
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 12, 2020
In NATO headquarters Garibashvili also held a meeting with Lubomír Metnar, Czech Defense Minister. The two sides discussed the ways of cooperation in logistics and military education, as well as joint peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan and Africa.
Defense Minister met his Ukrainian colleague Andriy Zahorodniuk as well. In his Twitter remarks, Garibashvili reiterated the significance of developing strategic directions of mutual cooperation and experience sharing in Euro-Atlantic integration.
Development of strategic directions of our cooperation & experience sharing in Euro-Atlantic integration is important for Georgia & Ukraine. Meeting with my colleague Andriy Zahorodniuk at @NATO covered a wide range of subjects, from regional security to multinational exercises. pic.twitter.com/LzsOhbokjO
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 13, 2020
Garibashvili and his Estonian counterpart Juri Luik signed a bilateral cooperation agreement, which envisages enhancing defense cooperation. “Strategic partnership with the Baltic countries bears great importance for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration,” the Minister remarked.
A bilateral cooperation plan with #Estonia has been signed together with my colleague Juri Luik at @NATO, as we look forward to strengthening our defence cooperation. Strategic partnership with the Baltic countries bears great importance for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration. pic.twitter.com/jNdRyZNlE4
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 13, 2020
Georgia’s Defense Minister held a meeting with NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Commenting the meeting, Garibashvili stressed that Georgia’s aspiration to join NATO “is an irreversible process” and that Georgia uses “all practical mechanisms of cooperation with the alliance” in order to achieve its goal.
Met with Secretary General @jensstoltenberg at @NATO. Georgia's aspiration to join #NATO is an irreversible process and our country successfully uses all practical mechanisms of cooperation with the Alliance to achieve this goal. pic.twitter.com/1URjQ3ju4H
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 13, 2020
Irakli Garibashvili is expected to conclude his visit on February 13, after which he will depart for Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference.
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)