Unites States Secretary of Army John McHugh pays two-day official visit to Georgia. Defense Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania hosted the American guest at MoD today, reports GHN based on the Ministry of defense.
The sides discussed bilateral cooperation issues in defense sphere between Georgia and the USA. U.S. Secretary of Army highlighted the importance of U.S. Georgian partnership and expressed readiness that the USA will continue active cooperation with Georgia in the field of defense. The sides also referred to the enduring partnership between the U.S. Army Europe and the Georgian Armed Forces. They highlighted the importance to further increase cooperation in the field of staff trainings for Georgian officers and NCOs. The sides focused on the importance of U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's visit to Georgia. As Minister Irakli Alasania outlined, his American counterpart reiterated readiness to assist Georgia in boosting defense capabilities and to support the implementation of the Substantial Package Georgia received at Wales Summit this month. Regional security issues and the Ukrainian crisis was one of the topics of the discussion. The Georgian side one more condemned Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. The sides focused on the NATO-led international mission in Afghanistan too. Minister Alasania reaffirmed the willingness of the country to participate in the NATO Resolute Support mission from 2015. The US Army Secretary expressed gratitude to Minister for the contribution the Georgian troops are providing to the ISAF mission. Georgian Minister of Defense, in his turn, underscored the United States' role in treatment and rehabilitation of the wounded Georgian military, as well as the US support for developing rehabilitation capabilities in Georgia. Following the meeting, Defense Minister of Georgia and U.S. Secretary of Army made joint statements.