Georgian Ambassador Hails US Defence Ties As Additional $33 Mln Aid Announced
Date
2/10/2023 3:24:37 PM
(MENAFN- AzerNews) Georgia's United States Ambassador David Zalkaliani on Friday
said his country's defence and security ties with the US had
reached an“all-time high”, in comments on the meeting between the
top defence officials of the two countries in the Pentagon on
Thursday that came together with an announcement of additional $33
million in security aid for Georgia.
The aid was announced by Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin
following his meeting with Georgian Defence Minister Juansher
Burchuladze, with the American official saying his office had
notified the congress in January of its intent to fund security
assistance for Georgia, as part of the Georgia Defence and
Deterrence Enhancement Initiative, signed between the countries in
2021.
He also reaffirmed the US' support for Georgia's sovereignty and
territorial integrity and praised the country's contribution to
international peace and security through its engagement in various
foreign peace missions for years.
In his remarks for the media, Zalkaliani said the messages heard
at the meeting had“confirmed the strategic partnership” in defence
and security between the states had been“upgraded to an all-time
high” under the current Georgian Government. The diplomat also said
the meeting was expected to further strengthen ties between the two
countries.
At a press briefing with the Georgian official, Austin also
announced his office had approved Georgia for the risk-assessed
payment schedule, leading to the country being able to request and
acquire“vital military capabilities more easily”.
This announcement reflects the value that we place on our
bilateral defence relationship and our partnership', Austin
said.
For his part, Burchuladze hailed the country's“strategic
partnership” with the US as“essential for Georgia's defence,
deterrence and peaceful and stable development”.
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