2018-12-10
As Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Didgori 2018 Command and Staff Exercise, Georgia's defense policy is based on the principles of deterrence and defense, and the successful implementation of this policy largely depends on the creation of a total defense system and enhanced international cooperation.
According to the Head of Government, the exercises seek to enhance professionalism and readiness to strengthen Georgia's resilience, ultimately to put in place the country's greater peace, security, and stability.
"Our modern era contains a myriad of threats. Today's world, and our partners, strongly emphasize so-called hybrid challenges. And it is in response to these challenges that Georgia spares no effort to ward off potential aggression against it and to protect our country. Notably, Georgia's defense policy rests on the principles of deterrence and defense, and the successful implementation of this policy largely depends on the creation of a total defense system and enhanced international cooperation. European and Euro-Atlantic integration remains the key firm priority of Georgia's foreign and domestic policy. In this process, we continue our successful cooperation with NATO using the existing mechanisms and programs. At the same time, Georgia continues supporting the Alliance in ensuring international peace and stability. In our ongoing reforms and successful transformation of Georgia's Armed Forces, bilateral cooperation with our partner countries, especially the US, is of utmost importance," the Prime Minister addressed the participants of the exercises.
According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, ensuring the country's defense is not the task of the armed forces alone. This responsibility stands for making full and coordinated use of the country's national resources.
"Such exercises are important for strengthening our country's resilience, as they prepare us for coordinated interagency action, which is tied directly to the country's security, stability and, importantly, peace-building. Given the requirements of national defense, and especially the principle of total defense, it is of crucial importance to advance interagency cooperation and coordinated action to a higher qualitative level. This year's Didgori is based on NATO's doctrine manual, another vivid example of the dynamic growth of our interoperability with NATO. It is vitally important for the development of a sustainable defense system, a concrete precondition for accession to NATO," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
The Prime Minister thanked the troops and staff of defense structures for organizing the exercises and the US, as Georgia's main strategic partner, and other NATO member and partner states, for Georgia's support growing by the year.
"They stand by the Georgian state on the path of democracy-building, not only assisting us in forging a modern and stable state, but also supporting us in strengthening the country's defense capability and security. For its part, Georgia, alongside other democratic nations, makes its honorable contribution to cementing common Euro-Atlantic security and peace, everywhere where it is needed. Today, our military cooperation with our friend countries is growing stronger and deeper in leaps and bounds, and today Georgia is facing a qualitatively new reality as our country is stronger and better defended in unity with our partners. I am convinced that the Didgori 2018 Exercises will be a success to advance the participating structures to a new level in order to use their experience for strengthening the country's peace," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Georgia's Defense Minister Levan Izoria and Chief of General Staff Major General Vladimer Chachibaia also addressed the participating military personnel. The event was attended by the members of the Georgian Government and US Chargé d'affaires ad interim Ross Wilson.
The five-day Interagency Exercise Didgori 2018 is designed to ensure effective, active coordinated and joint crisis action from the system of defense and all other state institutions.
Prime Minister's Press Office