Tonoyan: Armenia and Georgia believe in the idea of a more prosperous  and secure South Caucasus

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.