2019-03-28
NATO-Georgia cooperation seeks to ensure peace, stability and development in the region, in the best interests of all parties, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated in his speech at the DV Day event under the NATO-Georgia Exercise 2019.
The Head of Government pointed out that holding the exercise in Georgia is indicative of the country's resolute trajectory toward Euro-Atlantic integration, another clear demonstration of close cooperation with NATO.
"The visit by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to our country at such time is a clear message of the Alliance's firm support for Georgia. Georgia is fully aware of the contemporary security environment and, together with international partners, assumed the responsibility of ensuring global peace and stability. As you know, the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP) brings together unique initiatives to be successfully implemented in order to promote our country's enhanced resilience, development, better interoperability with NATO, and preparation for NATO membership," Mamuka Bakhtadze emphasized.
According to the Prime Minister, it is under the SNGP that this year's exercise at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center stands for more Georgia in NATO and more NATO in Georgia.
"It is very important to us that NATO is holding this exercise in Georgia, a non-member country. Organizing a multinational exercise in Georgia, with the participation of 24 allied and partner countries, reiterates the Alliance's firm support of Georgia in the effective implementation of the SNGP, and in fulfilling Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. This is the first multinational NATO exercise fully led by Georgia. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our strategic partner for this trust," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
According to the Head of Government, the fact that the exercise is held in Georgia stands for enhanced resilience, deterrence, and sustainability, and even greater compatibility with NATO.
"Joint NATO-Georgia exercises provide the troops of Georgia and NATO member and partner states with an excellent opportunity to step up joint and coordinated action in a variety of scenario-based settings, and to share experience, as a means to enhance their effectiveness. This format enables our troops, together with representatives of the armed forces of the allies and partner countries, further to enhance their professional skills in line with NATO procedures," Mamuka Bakhtadze underlined.
According to the Prime Minister, Georgia has transformed from a security consumer into a security provider, and remains committed to peace and prosperity.
"Our country is committed to the shared values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and security, which make up the foundation of the North Atlantic Alliance. Georgia has reaffirmed this commitment through implementing democratic reforms and significantly contributing to international security. That is why Georgia, as the Alliance's reliable partner, is closer to NATO as ever," Mamuka Bakhtadze stated.
The NATO-Georgia Exercise 2019 was attended by the Prime Minister and the President of Georgia, together with Admiral Manfred Nielson, the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. Under the NATO-Georgia Exercise 2019, representatives of Georgia's Defense Forces will be joined by NATO and partner countries' forces in enhancing their crisis response planning and execution capabilities.
The Command and Staff Exercise hosted by JTEC on March 18-29 brings together almost 350 armed forces members and civilians. The NATO-Georgia Exercise 2019 is the first joint brigade-level command and staff exercise carried out under the leadership of Georgia's Defense Forces. The exercise seeks to enhance the interoperability between the Georgian, NATO, and partner countries' armed forces, and to expand Georgia's command and control capabilities.
Prime Minister's Press Office