Estonia unconditionally recognises Georgia’s territorial integrity, supports Georgia’s national defence reforms and contributes to the development of national cyber defence, said Minister of Defence Margus Tshakna at his meeting with Minister of Defence of Georgia Levan Izoria.
“We recognise Georgia’s clear policy to resolve the question of territorial integrity through the use of diplomatic means,” said Minister of Defence Tsahkna. “Estonia is a steadfast supporter of Georgia joining NATO. We also support the integration of Georgia with the European Union.“
Minister of Defence Levan Izoria presented a comprehensive overview of the development directions in Georgia’s national defence and military cooperation with NATO. According to Minister of Defence Izoria, Georgia has learned much from Estonia, Finland and Sweden regarding the structure of conscript service, and by this spring the Georgians will have implemented changes to the organisation of their existing conscript service. The ministers of defence discussed in greater detail the security situation in Europe and around the world.
According to Minister of Defence Tsahkna, Estonia will continue close defence related cooperation with Georgia, the focus of which is the development of Georgia’s cyber defence.
In 2016, under the guidance of Estonia, training exercises and cyber defence courses were carried out in Georgia, and the training will also continue this year. Estonia has helped to start higher level national defence courses in Georgia and helped to keep them going. Estonia has steadfastly supported the studies of Georgia’s officers and officials in various courses at the Baltic Defence College. Members of Georgia’s defence forces participate in Spring Storm, the annual large scale training exercise held by the Estonian Defence Forces.
During his two day visit, Georgia’s Minster of Defence visited Ämari Air Base and the Baltic Defence College. He also met with Hannes Hanso, Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu. This afternoon, Georgian Minister of Defence Levan Izoria also laid a wreath at the Monument to the War of Independence and met with Deputy Commander of Estonian Defence Forces, Brigadier General Indrek Sirel.
The Georgian minister of defence is being accompanied on his trip to Estonia by the Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Vladimer Chachibaia, and the First Deputy Defence Minister, Lela Chikovani.
Prior to arriving in Estonia, the Georgian Minister of Defence also visited Finland and Sweden, where he studied the experience of the countries regarding conscript service.
Levan Izoria has been Georgia’s Minister of Defence since August 2016. Previously, he worked as the Deputy Head of the State Security Service of Georgia and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.