OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE #4

Visit of Estonian Defence The President of Georgia

Minister in Georgia
Minister of Defence of Geor-
gia David Kezerashvili received
his Estonian colleague Jaak Aa-
viksoo on October 29.
A solemn ceremony to wel-
come the Minister of Defence
of Estonia was held at the Min-
istry of Defence of Georgia.
After the welcome ceremony
the Defence Ministers of two
countries held a tete-a-tete
meeting. Bilateral meeting be-
tween the representatives of the
Georgian and Estonian Defence
Ministries was held later and
attended by Deputy Defence
Minister of Georgia Batu Kute-
lia, Deputy Chief of Staff LTC
Alexandre Osepaishvili and
members of the Estonian dele-
gation.
Estonian colleagues ex-
pressed full support of Georgia’s
NATO integration process. They
have also offered training oppor-
tunities to the representatives of
the Georgian Defence Ministry
at the Baltic Defence College. At
visits Defence Ministry
the meeting the sides decided
that Estonia will appoint a de-
fence attaché in Georgia.
After the meetings Defence
Ministers of Georgia and Esto-
nia evaluated the importance of
the visit.
David Kezerashvili: “We dis-
cussed the perspectives to deep-
en cooperation in defence field
between our countries. The talks
also addressed Georgia’s NATO
integration issues.
Continued on p.3

Visit of Georgian Defence

Ministry Delegation to Iraq
Defence Ministry Delegation in Iraq
3rd Infantry Brigade of the
Georgian Armed Forces sta-
tioned in Al-Kut officially took
over the full control of Wasit
Province in Iraq. A ceremony
marking the formal start of their
mission was held at the Forward
Operating Base “Delta” on Oc-
tober 8. The Georgian Delega-
tion - Deputy Minister of De-
fence of Georgia Batu Kutelia,
Chief of Joint Staff of the Geor-
gian Armed Forces Col Zaza
Gogava and other official repre-
sentatives of the Defence Min-
istry paid a visit to Iraq to attend
the official ceremony. U.S. Army
Maj. Gen. Lynch, Commander of
Multi-National Division also at-
tended the event held in Al-Kut.
At FOB “Delta” Father Gabriel
consecrated the flag of the Third
Infantry Brigade and blessed the
Georgian peacekeepers.
In the framework of the visit,
the Georgian delegation visited
the check-point that is under con-
struction in Al-Kut. They also
visited Baghdad, where they met
with the Commander of Multi-
National Force in Iraq General
D. Petraeus. A meeting was also
held with the Chief of Staff of
Multi National Corps, Brigadier
General Anderson. After the
meetings Deputy Minister of
Defence of Georgia Batu Kute-
lia, Chief of Joint Staff of the
Georgian Armed Forces Col
Zaza Gogava and delegation
members visited 150 Georgian
military serving in Baghdad.
Before departure, the Geor-
gian delegation visited “Delta”
base and saw the living condi-
tions of Georgian soldiers. By
the end of the day Commander
of the Third Infantry Brigade
briefed the visitors on ongoing
peacekeeping mission in details.
2000 servicemen of the brigade
went on a mission to Iraq, in the
city of Al-Kut in July. Current-
ly, they are performing their
mission together with the mili-
tary of USA, Kazakhstan, Po-
land, Romania and Salvador at
the Forward Operating Base
“Delta”.
Delegation of the Georgian
Defence Ministry returned from
Iraq to Tbilisi on October 10.
By Rusudan Tsimakuridze
The President addresses Georgian Officers
Today, President of Georgia ident of Georgia personally con- Kezerashvili congratulated the
Mikheil Saakashvili congratulat- gratulated successful graduation young officers: “It is a very im-
ed the students of the National of the course and presented his portant day for the Georgian
Defence Academy upon their watch to Amiran Sartania, an Armed Forces today. Officers’
successful completion of Offic- IDP from Abkhazia. The seven- Courses were passed by the stu-
ers’ Courses. month training program of Jun- dents with a higher education de-
Defence Minister David ior Officers’ Course “A” was gree. They are the future of the
Kezerashvili, Chief of the Joint conducted in three stages. 123 Georgian Army. Young officers
Staff Col. Zaza Gogava, Deputy students attended the initial, can- will reinforce and strengthen the
Chiefs of Staff LTC Alexandre didate and basic courses. Armed Forces and likewise
Osapaishvili and LTC Giga Officers’ Course graduates Georgia that will simplify the
Tatishvili and foreign diplomats took an oath at the solemn cere- fulfillment of those challenges
accredited to Georgia attended mony today and they were grant- the Georgian Armed Forces are
the solemn ceremony. ed the rank of lieutenant. facing today.”
President Saakashvili deliv- Defence Minister David By Khatia Kurashvili
ered a speech addressing the
graduates of Officers’ Course:
“Our country will have modern,
not large, but well-equipped
armed forces Georgia has never
had throughout its history and we
will be committed to the princi-
ples of democracy and good
neighborhood. We will not un-
dertake any such obligations that
will bind us and our friends in
defending Georgia’s indepen-
dence and sovereignty”.
Today at the ceremony,
Mikheil Saakashvili and David
Kezerashvili awarded twelve
best officers according to the rat-
ing of the graduate exams. Pres- The President awards successful Officers

Georgian Defence Minister in Ukraine

On 23 October Minister of
Defence of Georgia David
Kezerashvili paid a three-day
official visit to Ukraine. Mem-
bers of the Georgian delegation
led by David Kezerashvili are
Deputy Defence Minister Ma-
muka Mujiri, Head of Interna-
tional Relations and Euro-Atlan-
tic Integration Department and
Deputy Head of State Procure-
ments Department. The Geor-
Georgian Peacekeepers in Iraq gian Defence Minister attended
the Annual Forum of Defence
Ministers of Southeast Europe
that was held in Kiev. Mr. Kezer-
ashvili delivered a speech at the
plenary session of Defence Min-
isters’ Forum, after which the
Defence Ministers held a joint
news conference and answered
the questions of Ukrainian and
foreign journalists.
In the framework of the visit,
David Kezerashvili met with his
colleague Anatoliy Grytsenko. Bi-
lateral meeting was held with the
Defence Minister of Turkey as well.
At the meeting colleagues
discussed bilateral defence coop-
eration between the partner
countries and support for Geor-
gia in the Euro-Atlantic integra-
tion process.
Visit of the Georgian Defence
Ministry’s delegation was imple-
mented in the framework of bi-
lateral defence cooperation plan
for 2007.
2 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
The House of Commons
Defence Committee at
the Georgian Defence Ministry
Meeting with UK Members of Parliament
Members of Parliament of the Unit-
ed Kingdom of Great Britain and North-
ern Ireland visited the Ministry of De-
fence of Georgia on October 15th. The
fourteen-member delegation of the
House of Commons Defence Commit-
tee was hosted by Minister of Defence
of Georgia David Kezerashvili and Dep-
uty Defence Minister Batu Kutelia. Del-
egation of the British MPs was led by
the Chairman of the Committee, Rt Hon
James Arbuthnot.
The House of Commons Defence
Committee is conducting an inquiry
into the future of NATO and European
defence and the visit to Georgia was
implemented in the framework of the
oral evidence of the study. The inqui-
ry is a comprehensive analysis of the
North Atlantic Alliance, its role, pur-
pose and prospects, considering what
role NATO should play in the future of
UK and European defence, and wheth-
er NATO has a viable, long-term fu-
ture. The inquiry also addresses current
operational deployment in Afghanistan,
Iraq and the Balkans, as well as the
evolving relationship between NATO
New Squadron HQ Building Opened
Presentation of a new squadron HQ
building was held at the Marneuli aero-
drome of the Georgian Air Forces.
In the framework of bilateral defence
cooperation between Georgia and Tur-
key, the Turkish side constructed, reno-
vated and equipped a new building at
the Marneuli aerodrome, where the
squadron headquarters will be located.
The new squadron headquarters will
assist to better control the flights and
improve the professional skills of Geor-
gian Air Force pilots.
Opening ceremony of the squadron
headquarters was attended by the Dep-
uty Chiefs of Joint Staff of the Georgian
Armed Forces, LTC Alexandre Ose-
paishvili and LTC Grigol Tatishvili, also,
Acting Commander of Land Forces,
Maj. Mamuka Balakhadze.
Air Force Commander, Col. David
Nairashvili and Turkish Air Force Brig.
Gen Bulent Kocababuc cut the red rib-
bon at the solemn ceremony. Act of han-
dover and acceptance of the squadron
building was also signed at Marneuli
Aerodrome.
Delegation of the Turkish Armed
Forces arrived on a three-day official
visit to Georgia to officially transfer the
new building to the Georgian side. The
Turkish delegation was led by Brig. Gen
Bulent Kocababuc. In the framework of
the visit he held meetings with Deputy
Minister of Defence of Georgia Mamu-
ka Mujiri and Deputy Chief of the Joint
Staff, LTC Grigol Tatishvili. As it was
reiterated at the meeting, Turkey is an
active partner of Georgia and supports
its integration process to the North At-
and the European Union.
At the meeting the Georgian side in-
formed the members of Defence Com-
mittee of UK Parliament about the on-
going reforms at the Georgian Defence
Ministry, current developments in the
region and participation of Georgia in
international peacekeeping operations.
The Committee’s inquiry was
launched last December following
NATO’s Riga Summit, at which the Al-
liance defined its overall political direc-
tion, strategic priorities, and capability
requirements for the next decade and
beyond. The inquiry is analysing the re-
sults of Riga and is considering wheth-
er NATO remains relevant in dealing
with newly emerging threats and chal-
lenges. It is also examining the Alli-
ance’s utility and effectiveness and is as-
sessing how NATO could best be used
as an organisation, how deep allied co-
operation should go and what issues the
Alliance should address if NATO is to
remain a feature of transatlantic and
European defence.
The Committee held an introducto-
ry seminar on November 2006 with
Ribbon cutting Ceremony
lantic Alliance.
After the solemn ceremony, Geor-
gian pilots conducted demonstration
flights on Su-25 and L-39 aircrafts.
By the end of the visit, Commander
of Air Forces Col. David Nairashvili
made a comment for the media: “It is a
very beautiful and sunny day and we
celebrate the opening of a very beauti-
ful building today. This fact is a clear
evidence of the friendly relationship that
exists between Georgia and Turkey. We
really appreciate the efforts of the Turk-
ish Armed Forces to support the devel-
opment of the Georgian Armed Forces.
I hope that this cooperation will devel-
op and strengthen in the future. On the
way towards NATO integration such
events will foster the development of
NATO interoperable Air Forces that will
NATO and European defence experts to
define the terms of reference for the in-
quiry. A program of oral evidence be-
gan on June 19 with evidence from jour-
nalists, commentators and academics.
The inquiry is also examining the
prospects for, and implications of, fur-
ther NATO enlargement; the progress
made to date in improving NATO’s ca-
pabilities and how to address the capa-
bility gaps which remain; the existing
division of labour, costs and risk within
the Alliance including the issues of na-
tional caveats, Alliance burden-sharing
and defence spending; whether the Al-
liance is militarily configured and re-
sourced to handle situations like Afghan-
istan and what lessons there are for
NATO from its operational deploy-
ments; NATO’s relationship with the
European Union including how effec-
tively the two organisations work togeth-
er, the role of, and prospects for, the
European Security and Defence Policy
and the implications a growing role for
the European Union in defence and se-
curity for the long-term future of NATO.
Defence Committee consists of four-
teen Members of Parliament, appointed by
the House of Commons and drawn from
the three largest political parties. Their re-
sponsibility is to monitor and to hold to
account the Ministry of Defence and its
associated public bodies, including the
Armed Forces, on behalf of the House of
Commons and the people who elect it.
Within the framework of the visit,
fourteen-member delegation of the De-
fence Committee of the House of Com-
mons has visited France, Germany,
Spain, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Poland,
Czech Republic, Canada and the USA.
The visit to Georgia and Turkey was
the final one relating to the inquiry that
wrapped up the tour of the House of
Commons Defence Committee.
By Thea Chonishvili
be ready to fulfill any kind of mission.”
According to military attaché of Tur-
key, “Defence Ministry of Turkey has
been cooperating with the Georgian
Armed Forces since 1996. This cooper-
ation implies certain programs of assis-
tance. Each year we draw up the plans
for all services and implement various
projects in accordance of these annual
plans of actions. Construction and dec-
oration of this new headquarters was
envisaged by the bilateral cooperation
plan for 2007. We plan to carry out re-
habilitation works on the runway and to
equip it with all necessary inventories.
Runway boundary beacons will be in-
stalled that will enable the Georgian pi-
lots to carry out flights in any weather
conditions.”
By Khatia Kurashvili
Interview with Ambassador
of France in Georgia
his Excellency
Mr. Eric Fournier
Your Excellency, how did your ex-
pectations match your impressions in
general after you arrived in Georgia?
What have you heard about Georgia
before?
I arrived in Georgia about a month
and a half ago. What I knew of Georgia
at that time was only what I had read
about it: its very ancient tradition and
culture, and its proximity with Europe,
H.E. Eric Fournier
as it appears in the mythology of the
Argonauts, Jason, Prometheus and all
the Georgian classics. I have also been
very impressed by this country’s fight
for its independence, in the beginning
of the 20th century. I loved its fantastic
artists, like Pirosmani, Iosseliani, for in-
stance, who are actually very famous in
France. Last, I had a pre-taste of Geor-
gia during my previous diplomatic as-
signments in Iran and Russia. But then,
upon my arrival, I had to catch up with
the reality of modern Georgia.
What was the most unique and sur-
prising for you in Georgia?
So far, if I may say, my trips to the
forest and to the mountain. I went re-
cently to Bakhmaro, and Satchkhere,
which were both very impressive. I was
overwhelmed by the warm welcome of
the authorities and I basically loved the
spirit of adventure that I feel, here, in
this country. Second, of course, I was
struck by the feeling of insecurity in this
part of the world, and this is something
which is worrisome. What can I say
about this? Definitely, Georgia’s secu-
rity is a challenge.
What does it mean for you to be
an Ambassador of France in Georgia
now, in a crucial period when the state
strives to become a member of Euro-
Atlantic family?
First of all, being an ambassador in a
country like Georgia is a great honor,
especially because President Nicolas
Sarkozy and the French government
have a new approach of the world af-
fairs in general, and of Georgia in par-
ticular. It is a very significant change.
President Sarkozy requested to promote
a new France. He told all the ambassa-
dors during a recent annual meeting with
them: “France is back”. His approach is
a more dynamic one, and I am willing
to apply this new vision to the relation-
ship between our two countries. From
my point of view, this country is going
to be part of a new security framework,
and is going to build new partnerships
with different countries: this aspect is
crucial to France today.
The meeting of President Sarkozy
and the President of Georgia Mikheil
Saakashvili was very friendly and
constructive. It is a new area in
French-Georgian relationship. How
does new France perceive Georgia?
OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE #4
The meeting of President Nicolas
Sarkozy with President of Georgia
Mikheil Saakashvili was a very impor-
tant moment. I attended most of the vis-
it and I must say that there are great
hopes. We are now preparing upcoming
ministerial visits, and we have to imag-
ine new means to attract French busi-
ness in Georgia. I am sure this will be a
very fruitful area of cooperation.
French and Georgian defence co-
operation has proved very efficient.
How would you evaluate this cooper-
ation and what are the future plans
on the agenda?
First of all, it is a very new relation-
ship; we established diplomatic links
fifteen years ago and the cooperation in
the field of defence started significantly
about three years ago. So everything is
still to be built. Nonetheless, our coop-
eration, in Satchkhere, in mountain
troops training is a very important one.
France also has high mountains, and civ-
il security, border control to prevent in-
cursions have always been a major is-
sue. In Georgia too, a good “know-how”
to implement proper reaction to threats
in the mountains is crucial.
Your view on Georgia’s way to-
wards NATO? What challenges and
opportunities do you see on this way?
Georgia has launched a process of
new relationship with NATO, this issue
is being discussed at the moment among
NATO members. It will be a long pro-
cess, because Georgia has to follow cer-
tain steps. Nevertheless, I am impressed
by the way the Georgian army is mod-
ernizing itself, so I think we might soon
see progress in this field. But the Mem-
bership Action Plan also means good
governance, state of law, human rights,
independence of justice, so there are a
lot of things to achieve. I cannot say how
soon and how quickly, it all depends on
the ongoing process between Georgia
and NATO members.
The short-term and long-term pro-
gramme of a new Ambassador of
France in Georgia?
The short term programme is to get
acquainted with the Georgian society in
order to assess the issues. The long term
programme is to strengthen the links
between our two countries and, first of
all, to increase the volume of Franco-
Georgian business. It is currently very
limited, but many fields can be signifi-
cantly explored, like energy, communi-
cation, agriculture, health, forestry... I
want investors to come quickly, because
this country needs and deserves it!
What is the strongest aspiration of
the Ambassador?
To ride good horses in the wild moun-
tains of Georgia as often as possible!
By Nino Gogochishvili
OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE #4
An Interview with H.E. Atis Slakteris,
Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
First of all, let me express my grati-
tude to Latvia for the support and coop-
eration that Latvia carries out towards
Georgia. Georgia feels and appreciates
full support of Latvia which is very sig-
nificant for our country.
I am very pleased to be in Georgia
and discuss with my colleague matters
of importance for both our countries. I
was in Georgia in the eighties and now
coming back after twenty years, I have
only the very best impressions of your
country which is working very hard on
achieving its foreign policy goals. Even
though I am here for the first time after
the collapse of the Soviet Union, my
staff has developed very regular politi-
cal military defence dialogue and joint-
ly works on many projects for some time
already.
As we are informed Latvia intends
to make a contribution in the devel-
opment of Georgian Naval Forces.
The Latvian Advisor in Naval sphere
is planned to be appointed. How do
you see the perspectives of develop-
ment of Georgian Naval Space with
the support of Latvia?
Georgian and Latvian experts coop-
erate regularly – we welcome your na-
val experts in the seminars and offer
study opportunity in our Diving School
in Liepaja. Both our countries are small
and have long coastlines, which allows
our experts to discuss reform of naval
forces from the same perspective.
Answering your question, I must say
that in Latvia we have created our struc-
tures from scratch and had to keep in
mind that our human and financial re-
sources are scarce. As both our coun-
tries posses the same background, I see
that some of our lessons learned could
be very useful to you. Let me remind
you that the cooperation on naval reform
issues already has a good groundwork.
Back in 2004 and 2005 Latvian and Brit-
ish experts worked together and com-
pleted an assessment of the Georgian
Navy organization and management.
The assessment was submitted to the
Georgian President’s Chancellery, Min-
istry of Defence and the National Secu-
rity Council. Now we are ready to con-
tinue our cooperation and appoint a non
resident advisor on those issues. For in-
stance, I see that our assistance could
be useful in development of search and
rescue structure, sea environmental pro-
tection issues, shipping security, protec-
tion of sea border, as well as advice on
cooperation among Naval Forces, Bor-
der guards, sea ports and other involved
institutions. Of course, we are willing
to contribute also to other areas, so let
me just confirm that our experts are at
your disposal.
How does Latvia, which success-
fully passed the way towards NATO,
see Georgia on this road? What was
Visit of Estonian Defence Minister in Georgia
Continued from p.1
Experience of Estonia is very impor-
tant for us as they went through the same
stages Georgia is going through now.
Estonia is one of the active supporters of
Georgia’s integration into the North At-
lantic Alliance and today my Estonian
colleague expressed full support of Geor-
gia’s getting MAP on the NATO Summit
that will be held in Bucharest next spring.
Jaak Aaviksoo: “This morning we had
a very thorough and fruitful discussion
with my colleague not only on defence
issues but also on the prospects of future
cooperation. I very much believe that our
future is not only on the bilateral level
the most difficult challenge for Latvia
during the process of NATO member-
ship? What does Georgia have to con-
sider from Latvia’s experience?
Your country has done and is still
doing a tremendous job of raising in-
teroperability with NATO and comply
with other political, economic and in-
formation security requirements. It is
hard to mention just one challenge. Join-
ing NATO is not only a practical mili-
tary preparation process; it is also very
much a political one. Passing through
integration and accession period Latvia
implemented tasks also in political-eco-
nomical, financial, information securi-
ty and legal areas. It was very challeng-
ing to address the whole spectrum of
state administration but all this together
helped us to develop a more secure and
prosperous state. NATO membership
promoted Latvia’s internal stability, eco-
nomical development and facilitated in-
vestment attraction.
In the defence and military field the
main practical area to which we paid
particular attention was the reorganiza-
tion and modernization of armed forc-
es, development of sustainable and af-
fordable force structure, which can pro-
duce all necessary capabilities for Alli-
ance and national needs. Thereby appro-
priate force planning process is impor-
tant. One also needs to implement deci-
sions and obligations, but not only to
produce plans or declare willingness.
Therefore availability of resources –
personnel as well as financial – is vital.
Sufficient amount of well educated and
prepared personnel and resources guar-
antees you appropriate force develop-
ment, implementation of your plans and
provides you with the possibility of ful-
fillment of the NATO requirements.
Do you think Georgia is ready to
receive the Membership Action Plan?
Latvia constantly and firmly supports
Membership Action Plan (MAP) for
Georgia. We are well informed about the
progress of reforms in your country. We
are closely following your work, ready
to assist both politically – as a NATO
member country, and practically – as a
friend sharing our reform and NATO
integration experience. During last sev-
eral years you made a tremendous
progress successfully accomplishing
two years cycle of the Individual Part-
nership Action Plan with NATO. I see
that you have prepared and accepted in
the Parliament the main strategic docu-
ments, and through Strategic Defence
Review assessed and changed the very
structure of your defence system, bring-
ing it closer to NATO. Today Georgia
has more soldiers in peacekeeping mis-
sions around the world then many mem-
ber or candidate countries.
You are creating an airspace control
compatible with NATO, military educa-
Defence Ministers
tion and training system is developing.
Educated civil servants at your Minis-
try of Defence are working on develop-
ing short and long term defence plan-
ning that are essential for NATO mem-
bership. Of course, not all the goals are
already achieved and not all the prob-
lems have been solved in Georgia. From
my Latvian experience, I can say that
next day after receiving the MAP, you
will immediately see new problems and
new goals to be followed. That’s the log-
Minister of Defence of Latvia H.E. Atis
Slakteris
ic of the continuous defence transforma-
tion process Georgia now is participat-
ing in. We are confident that the present
level of development your country has
achieved allows Georgia to continue its
way of reforms in the framework of
MAP.
Latvia took an active role in the in-
vestigation process of the violation of
Georgian air space on August 6. The
Latvian expert participated in the
working process of the International
Group of Experts. How do you esti-
mate this incident and what recom-
mendations will you give to Georgia
for peaceful resolution of the conflicts
and setting constructive relations with
its neighbor country?
Incidents of this type can be easily
used by the countries or political forces
that are against Georgia’s aspirations to
establish itself as a democratic and
peaceful country or even to harm your
aspirations to have closer relations with
NATO. They can say: “Look, you’ll
bring these problems to NATO if Geor-
gia is accepted”. That is a dangerous way
of preventing Georgia from NATO
membership and that is why in this re-
cent case Latvia immediately sent our
Air Force expert to join the internation-
al group of investigation. Both Latvia
and Georgia come from the post Soviet
space which is neither simple nor easy
but it allows us to understand your is-
sues much better. For us it was and re-
MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY
mains important that when such inci-
dents arise or there are situations when
other kind of advice or assistance is
needed, Georgia’s questions or requests
for expertise can be heard internation-
ally either on the bilateral level or in the
framework of international organiza-
tions. That will help not only you but
also will allow us to explain your situa-
tion to other countries.
According to the initiative of
Latvia “New Friends of Georgia” was
created for the support of our coun-
try. Regarding this I would like to ex-
press our appreciation. What can you
say about this new initiative? What
mission and functions will be im-
posed? What concrete steps will be
made by “New Friends of Georgia”?
As we know, the meeting of “New
Friends of Georgia” is to be held in
Riga in the nearest future. What is-
sues will be discussed and what sub-
stantial results will this initiative bring
to Georgia?
Latvia was one of the founders of the
“New Group of Friends of Georgia”
back in 2005. During these years we
were active participants of this frame-
work. We know from our recent history
how important it was to have support
for our reforms and Euro-Atlantic inte-
gration. I personally believe that our
common efforts within the “New Group
of Friends of Georgia” are also impor-
tant for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspira-
tions and for the whole reform process
to stabilize itself as a modern, democrat-
ic and stable state. The interest and par-
ticipation of new members, such as the
Czech Republic and Sweden, also un-
derlines the potential and necessity of
our common activities in this frame-
work. On 13-14 September the group
had foreign ministers meeting in Vilnius.
During this meeting the ministers of nine
countries discussed the most urgent is-
sues of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic agen-
da, including the MAP issue. Practical
roadmaps on Georgia’s NATO as well
as EU agenda were also elaborated that
creates a substantial base for the further
work. As for the meeting in Riga, our
Minister of Foreign Affairs has proposed
to hold one of the forthcoming ministe-
rial meetings in Latvia but no concrete
date has been set yet.
How do you see Georgia’s role in the
process of building of global security?
Since 1994, when Georgia joined
NATO program Partnership for Peace,
your country as a partner of the Alliance
is participating in a global security build-
ing process. Georgia is participating
through dialogue and cooperation to-
gether with NATO member countries,
so called global partners, Mediterranean
Dialogue countries and Istanbul Coop-
eration Initiative countries. During the
past years Georgia’s role is changing –
but also in the framework of NATO.
There was a clear understanding on both
sides that the main event is to work to-
wards getting a MAP during the Buchar-
est Summit next year. Estonia is commit-
ted to supporting you and I’m very much
looking forward to that decision.
Secondly, I’d like to say that bilater-
al cooperation in the defence arena has
been successful so far. We’re happy to
welcome your military at the Baltic De-
fence College. We are working on dif-
ferent fields and we are sending a de-
fence attaché to Georgia very soon.
And last but not least I was here in
Tbilisi a year ago and now coming back
I see how fast this country is develop-
3
Georgia is on the right track to change
from consumer of security to provider
of it that is so crucial in such a region as
Caucasus. More than 2000 soldiers in
the peacekeeping missions is a good
example, if one seeks for the evidence
of Georgia’s commitment for participat-
ing in global security arena.
As we are informed, Latvia-Geor-
gia actively cooperates in the defence
sphere. In this regards what new per-
spectives are set during your visit?
What was the main purpose of your
visit and what are the future plans?
Talking about the defence coopera-
tion between Georgia and Latvia, our
staffs are working together on many
joint bilateral and multilateral projects.
Last year Latvia was chairing the South
Caucasus Clearing House - a donor
countries’ forum not only for Georgia
but also for Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Soon we will launch NATO/PfP Trust
Fund project for rocket and missile de-
militarization in Georgia together with
other countries. Of course, bilaterally we
will continue to host your students in the
so called on the job trainings at our Min-
istry, as well as at the Diving School and
Baltic Defence College. The non-resi-
dent defence advisors started their work
here already in the fall of 2005 and plan
to continue their activities as long as the
Georgian side sees it as necessary. Re-
cently, we also started public diploma-
cy activities which will soon result in a
joint book project “NATO and Georgia’s
Security” for your schools and in fact
ten Georgian teachers are in Riga this
week, meeting with their fellow Latvi-
an teachers, experts from the defence
and security sector and non-governmen-
tal institutions in order to overtake some
of our lessons learned how to better ex-
plain the role of NATO to your students.
Coming back to the Membership
Action Plan, I must say that I support
Georgia in receiving it. The Bucharest
Summit will be a crucial point in this
sense and friends of Georgia have to
mobilize their political and practical re-
sources together with your country for
achieving this goal as many countries
will be closely scrutinizing your work.
Tremendous work is being done but the
developments around international se-
curity environment today are also com-
plicated and have to be kept in mind.
As a Minister of Defence of Latvia, I
have to have a precise vision before the
next NATO Summit in Bucharest and this
visit will help me in this regard. I am
pleased for the very open and sincere re-
lations with our Georgian colleagues, who
never tried to hide any problems from us,
knowing that we, who got through these
problems quite recently, will understand
them. This is also the main idea about my
present visit to Georgia.
By Nini Bakradze
ing. I’d like to congratulate all of you,
my colleagues of the Ministry of De-
fence and your Government, your Pres-
ident and your people for the success and
we are very happy that we can work to-
gether and most probably in the future
also as full NATO members.”
In the framework of the visit, Jaak
Aaviksoo will hold meetings with the
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gela
Bezhuiashvili and Head of Parliamentary
Committee on Defence and Security Givi
Targamadze. Visit of the Estonian Defence
Ministry delegation is implemented in the
framework of bilateral defence coopera-
tion between Georgia and Estonia.
By Khatia Kurashvili
4 MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE #4

Visit of the Representatives of

NATO Command in Georgia
Under the auspices of NATO’s Part-
nership for Peace (PfP) Program Military
Information workshop was held in Tbilisi
Sheraton Metekhi Hotel on October 22-
26. The workshop was organized with the
support of NATO Supreme Allied Com-
mander Transformation and was hosted by
Georgia. The workshop was led by NATO
NATO intelligence transformation;
NATO principles and main directions of
participation in international operations.
At the meeting the following issues were
discussed: intelligence awareness of bat-
tle field by the Joint Staff; NATO opera-
tive planning procedures; NATO intelli-
gence cycle; intelligence information re-
LTC Michael Brently granted certifi-
cates of participation to all those who
took part in the workshop.
Georgia participates in NATO’s Part-
nership for Peace Programme (PfP)
since 1994. PfP is designed to foster
practical bilateral cooperation between
individual Partner countries and NATO.

Chief of Defence of Lithuanian

Military Group with four personnel staff.
The participants of the workshop were the
representatives of J-2 Intelligence and
Military Information Workshop in Tbilisi
military intelligence Departments of the
Ministry of Defence of Georgia, military
intelligence officers of NATO, PfP and
Mediterranean Dialogue countries – Aus-
tria, Finland, Serbia, Algeria, Moldova,
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Canada, USA,
Lithuania, Estonia, and Albania.
In the framework of the workshop the
representatives familiarized with NATO
strategic view for partner countries and
ceived from public sources; introduction
of the organizations - Allied Command
Transformation (ACT) and Allied Com-
mand Operations (ACO). The partici-
pants of the workshop shared their work-
ing experience as well. After the discus-
sions the work within the framework of
syndicates and intelligence assessments
on concrete issues were held.
The meeting was officially closed on
October 26. By the end of the meeting
the representative of NATO Supreme
Allied Commander Transformation,
It allows Partner countries to build up
an individual relationship with NATO,
choosing their own priorities for coop-
eration. Based on a commitment to the
democratic principles that underpin the
Alliance itself, the purpose of the Part-
nership for Peace is to increase stabili-
ty, diminish threats to peace and build
strengthened security relationships be-
tween individual Partner countries and
NATO, as well as among Partner coun-
tries. The essence of the PfP Programme
is a partnership formed individually be-
tween each Partner country and NATO,
tailored to individual needs and jointly
implemented at the level and pace cho-
sen by each participating government.
Georgia considers this program as an
effective mechanism for approaching
NATO standards in different spheres. In
the framework of PfP Georgia drafts
Individual Partnership Program with
NATO, which defines aspects of coop-
eration with the Alliance for a two-year
period. In the framework of the above-
mentioned program a range of coopera-
tion fields are selected according to re-
quirements of the partner countries that
helps in accomplishing the Partnership
Goals. Georgia participates in many
field and command staff trainings with-
in the framework of Partnership for
Peace Programme.
By Tea Kerdzevadze
Armed Forces Visits Georgia
Minister of Defence of Georgia Dav-
id Kezerashvili received the Chief of
Defence of the Lithuanian Armed Forc-
es, Major General Valdas Tutkus on 11
October. Meeting was attended by the
Deputy Defence Minister Batu Kutelia.
Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian
Armed Forces, Col. Zaza Gogava held a
meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart.
The official welcome ceremony was held
at the National Defence Academy.
The visit of a nine-member delega-
tion of Lithuanian Defence Ministry is
implemented within the framework of
the bilateral defence cooperation plan
for 2007 between Georgia and Lithua-
nia and is aimed at strengthening mili-
tary cooperation.
In the framework of a three-day vis-
it, Lithuanian guests visited Sachkhere
Mountain Training School.
After the meeting, Chief of Joint
Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Col.
Zaza Gogava and Chief of Defence of
the Lithuanian Armed Forces Maj. Gen.
Valdas Tutkus made the following com-
ments:
Col. Zaza Gogava: “It is very impor-
tant for us to share all recommendations,
support and experience independent
Lithuania passed on the way towards
NATO integration. We discussed the
details regarding these issues. Our co-
operation will mainly address the edu-
cational sphere. We want to benefit from
the experience of our Lithuanian col-
leagues. Our students are studying at the
Academy of Lithuanian Armed Forces
and we plan to continue close coopera-
tion in this direction.”
Maj. Gen. Valdas Tutkus: “Yesterday
we visited the Mountain Training Cen-
ter which can serve as an example for
the number of nations of the quality of
your instructors, of the quality of facili-
ties and training. We discussed today
transformation way of the Armed Forc-
es of Georgia, which I believe very much
are doing everything according to NATO
standards and are highly recognized not
only by my country but by the interna-
tional community. So the Georgian ef-
forts in the war against terror and the
Georgian Brigade in Iraq is the best ex-
ample of this and therefore we want to
thank Georgia for these efforts.”

CONDITIONS:
· High salary starting from GEL 567 in
January with a perspective 15% increase
· Adequate nutrition
· Free medical service
· Modern equipment
· For successful students the perspective to
continue study abroad
· Physical preparedness
· Free foreign language study
· Social and legal guarantees
· According to military specialty additional
salary compensation

Registration is possible in the military mobilizing

staffs (former military commissariats) of cities and
regions or in the 4th Infantry Brigade of Land
Serving for Georgia Forces to the following address: No 38a Kakheti
Highway, Tbilisi

For additional information contact the Land

The Georgian Ministry of Defence is now Forces Command.
Address: No 177a Uznadze St., Tbilisi
manning the Georgian Armed Forces and Tel.: 91 19 08
invites qualified citizens of Georgia to join
in this contract-based professional service. Ministry of Defence of Georgia
No 20 Gen. Kvinitadze St., Tbilisi 0112
E-mail: pr@mod.gov.ge www.mod.gov.ge