Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

The ongoing reforms in Georgian defence sphere, deepening cooperation between Georgia and the North Atlantic Alliance and Georgia's NATO membership aspirations were the subject of the tête-à-tête meeting between Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Alasania and NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai on February 20.

During the meeting with Appathurai, Alasania also spoke about Georgia's participation in NATO-led ISAF mission and regional security issues.

"At the Defence Ministerial, we'll discuss the concrete steps Georgia will take for providing security to Afghanistan and making contribution to global security after the ISAF mission," Alasania said. "We'll get familiar what activities NATO and our partner have scheduled to carry out in Afghanistan. We've prepared the certain proposals what contribution Georgia will take in the post-ISAF period. During the Ministerial, these issues will become clearer."

As for the NAC visit to Georgia, Alasania said that the decision has already been made and the exact date is also set. "This visit will foster Georgia's efforts to cooperate with NATO countries within the various formats in the nearest future," Alasania noted.

In turn, Appathurai appraised the discussions held at the meeting, saying that the main thing is to focus on reforms.

"We have had an excellent meeting today with Minister Alasania today. I am very encouraged by the reforms that he outlined. They seem to be very professional, very structured and going absolutely in the right direction," Appathurai stressed.

Appathurai also touched upon the current political situation in Georgia noting the importance of modus Vivendi to be inside Georgia.

"We've seen the divisions that are right now. Cohabitation is complicated. But we would want to see a country that would agree on essentials, the core principals of the society and I am encouraged to see two sides are talking together now and have come close to an agreement and we would certainly want to see agreement on the way forward," he declared.

Later , Alasania and Appathurai joined a closing ceremony dedicated to accomplishment of the project "Georgia III" at the NATO headquarters. The officials addressed the audience gathered to mark the successful completion of the project.

The project "Georgia III" was implemented by NAMSA. In the framework of the project the EOD Company was trained and equipped according to international Humanitarian Demining Standards. To enhance the capability of the medical rehabilitation department, the Gori Military Hospital was granted the modern equipment.

In his speech, Alasania spoke about the importance of the project for Georgia and expressed gratitude to the participants of the project "Georgia III" for their contribution.

"To underpin the importance of the event, I would like to remind you that not so long ago Georgia used to be heavily affected by the mine and ERW (explosive remnants of war) due to the turmoil of 90s and the Soviet Military presence. The problem was further exacerbated during the 2008 War between Russia and Georgia. Millions of Square meters of agricultural lend became contaminated," Alasania stressed.

"Fortunately, with support of our partners and international organizations we have managed to reduce the mine and ERW threat to minimum. All war affected areas (under the effective control of Georgian Government) has been cleared completely and former Russian military bases demined."

Then, the minister officially announced on another NATO/PfP Trust Fund Project - "Georgia IV". Follow up Project "Georgia IV" is designed to clear Georgian munitions depot at Skra destroyed during the August, 2008 war and train EOD company.

On the same day, Alasania held meeting with NATO Deputy Secretary General Amb. Alexander Vershbow. The sides discussed ongoing defense reforms and the Georgian side the long-term plan for development of the Georgian Armed Forces.

Minister Alasania is on an official visit to Brussels from February 19. In the framework of the visit, Alasania will attend the Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers with non-NATO ISAF Contributing Nations, hold talks with Defence Ministers of NATO member and partner countries, and hold meetings with Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Commander of the International Security Assistance Force General Joseph F. Dunford.