The Ministers of Defence discussed the security situation in the Black Sea region, broad-based bilateral support for cooperation in the field of cyber defence and international operations, and cooperation within the framework of NATO’s partnership policy.
At the meeting, Minister of Defence Luik emphasised Estonia's support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and recognised the steps taken by Georgia in carrying out reforms in the field of defence. The Minister added that Estonia’s support for Georgia’s broad-based security sector reforms will continue.
At the meeting, the Ministers signed a bilateral defence cooperation plan for 2018.
‘Estonia and Georgia enjoy close bilateral defence cooperation. We participated in each other's military training exercises, Estonia supports the training of Georgia’s servicemen, and cooperation in the field of cyber defence continues to grow stronger', said Minister of Defence Luik.
This year, Estonian servicemen will be participating in the international training exercise Noble Partner 2018, and Georgian servicemen will be participated in the training exercise SIIL.
‘I recognise Georgia for having raised its defence expenditures to 2% of GDP. This shows that Georgia takes its national defence very seriously’, noted Minister Luik.
Minister of Defence Luik also visited Georgia’s Cyber Security Bureau.
Within the framework of the programme Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, created following the Warsaw Summit, Estonia is managing the strengthening of Georgia’s development in terms of capability in the field of cyber defence. ‘Within the framework of the programme we have offered Georgia cyber defence training and mapped their needs', stated Jüri Luik.
Within the framework of the Nordic-Baltic Assistance Programme a live-fire cyber training exercise will be held for Georgian experts in the coming months.
Minister of Defence Jüri Luik will continue with his visit to Georgia tomorrow, at which time he will meet with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and visit the temporary borderline near South Ossetia.