2019-08-09
"I am deeply convinced that it is impossible to talk about Euro-Atlantic Space without security in the Black Sea region" stated Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia when delivering a key-note speech at the official closing ceremony of Agile Spirit 2019 - multinational military exercise.
Head of Government of Georgia expressed his special gratitude to the western partners, who have been paying special attention to the security in the Black Sea region in the recent past.
"First of all, I wish to thank our US partners for their solid and consistent support, which has been demonstrated on the way of our democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration. I also wish to particularly thank the organizers of Agile Spirit 2019 - West General Staff of Defense Forces of Georgia and European General Staff of the USA for organizing such significant exercise. Georgia takes great pride in participation within these series, which is delivered by the European General Staff of the USA. It is yet another clear evidence of the fact that our strategic partners demonstrate solid and most important support to Georgia, which we highly value. Our country has hosted one of the most wide-scale and voluminous military exercise for the ninth time, which is branded as Agile Spirit in 2019. Such endeavor is very important as it brings us closer to NATO and increases the compatibility of our country with the Alliance. It is a significant achievement that over 3000 military servicemen from 14 partner countries and NATO members took part in the exercise this year and each of them is an unconditional supporter of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as of peace and stability in our region" added the Prime Minister of Georgia.
In the opinion of the Head of Government of Georgia, nation made its civilizational choice that implies a full integration of Georgia into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, whereby such series of exercises make the chances of Georgia's accession more realistic.
"Eleven years have passed since the greatest tragedy, when the Russian Federation invaded two historic regions of Georgia. It is the most painful challenge for our country. Friends, our response to this most painful challenge is only peace and development of Georgia. Nation made its civilizational choice, which implies a full integration of Georgia into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. It is a sovereign and civilizational choice of our nation. It is not targeted against anyone. This exercise has facilitated a greater compatibility of Georgia with USA and partner countries; along with the maintenance of stability and secure environment in the Black Sea region. I wish to particularly thank our western partners for paying such significant attention to the security in the Black Sea region in the recent past. I am deeply convinced that it is impossible to imagine talks about security in the Euro-Atlantic Space without security in the Black Sea region. Such endeavors make chances of Georgia's accession to NATO more realistic and move us closer to the principle, which we set for ourselves as a goal to have more NATO in Georgia and more Georgia in NATO. Georgian military servicemen, our soldiers demonstrated adequate partnership to their colleagues. They gained relevant experience and stand ready to demonstrate their operating capability in the multinational environment" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Prime Minister's Press Office