ArmInfo.Armenia and Georgia agreed on the issue of deepening bilateral cooperation in the defense sphere, as well as identifying new areas of cooperation. The head of the Armenian Defense Ministry David Tonoyan said this on February 21 during a briefing with Minister of Defense of Georgia Levan Izoria.
The head of the defense department stated that the meeting discussed issues relating to bilateral relations, as well as defense cooperation within the framework of international organizations. According to him, the thousand-year friendship between nations, close ties in the defense, economic, cultural spheres are important, and it is necessary to continue to deepen them.
According to Tonoyan, during the meeting between the defense ministries of the two countries, a cooperation plan was signed for 2019, recalling that cooperation at this level was laid back in 2010. The Armenian minister also stated that the plan of cooperation of this year included such areas of interaction as military and military-medical education, training of sergeants, fighting corruption, strengthening discipline in the RA Armed Forces.
"In conclusion, I want to assure that Armenia and Georgia have a mutual perception and respect for bilateral priorities and decisions aimed at ensuring national security, as well as faith in the idea of a more prosperous and secure South Caucasus in the future," said Tonoyan, adding that I am glad that the first visit of the new government of Georgia took place to Armenia, and he was at the level of the head of the defense department.In turn, Izoria stated that he had effective discussions with his Armenian counterpart on the issue of deepening defense cooperation.
"My Armenian colleague and I signed a defense cooperation plan for 2019. I want to highlight such a new area of our cooperation as strengthening discipline. Within this framework, the Georgian side is ready to share its best practices with Armenian counterparts," said Izoria.At the same time, he recalled that the Georgian troops are participating in NATO peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, and thereby contributing to international security. Izoria also welcomed the participation of the Armenian military in exercises in Georgia within the framework of NATO programs in 2018, and expressed the hope that the Armenian side will continue to participate in such events in the future.