Military leaders from the United States and Georgia reaffirmed their efforts to work together to support Georgian forces on Monday.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze in Tbilisi, Georgia, where they signed a memorandum that will continue the U.S.’s support for the Georgian defense forces through the next six years.
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“This represents an important new phase in security cooperation between our two countries,” Austin said during remarks at the Ministry of Defense in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, according to DoD’s website. “We will continue the progress of the Georgia Defense Readiness Program by reform of the defense sector, by strengthening the capabilities and capacity required for effective deterrence and defense, and by fostering interoperability with NATO nations.”
The newly signed Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative builds upon the Georgia Defense Readiness Program, which is set to expire at the end of this year.
Russia has occupied roughly 20% of Georgia’s landmass since invading South Ossetia and Abkhazia in 2008.
Austin also attended a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, in which he condemned “Russia’s ongoing occupation of Georgia and its attempts to expand influence into the Black Sea region through military coercion and malign activities.”
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The secretary of defense noted that the continuance of the joint agreement will help Georgia defend itself while also pushing the country toward Euro-Atlantic integration.
“At the same time, the Georgia government must do its part by leveraging U.S. support to strengthen Georgia’s democracy and to make the fundamental reforms necessary to bring Georgia even closer to the west,” Austin said.
Austin is on the first leg of a trip to Black Sea allies Ukraine and Romania, where he is expected to deliver a message of “unwavering” support for the countries’ sovereignty from Russia.
