Azernews.Az

Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Alasania has met with his Hungarian counterpart Csaba Hende during an official visit to Budapest.

The defence ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, the Georgian Defence Ministry told Trend news agency on Friday.

Alasania emphasized Hungary's support for Georgia on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as the participation of Hungarian officers in the EU observer mission.

The meeting also discussed prospects of cooperation between the defence ministries in the field of education, exchange of experience in the creation of the reserve system and participation in international missions.

Alasania briefed his counterpart on the on-going and planned reforms in the defence sector of Georgia.

Following the meeting, the defence ministers of the two countries signed a memorandum of co-operation and then held a joint press conference.

"Our military servicemen are fighting side by side under the auspices of NATO in Afghanistan," Alasania said. "Georgia is cooperating with Hungary and other countries participating in ISAF operations, as well as participating in the exchange of experience. We also feel the strong support of Hungary as a reliable and strong partner in the process of integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. We appreciate the political will of Hungary in Georgia's accession to the European family."

The Georgian minister thanked the Hungarian side for the support of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as adherence to a policy of non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"I believe the conflicts in Georgia will be resolved peacefully with joint efforts," Alasania said.

The Hungarian defence minister, in turn, stressed the importance of the memorandum signed with Georgia.

"We signed the memorandum on bilateral cooperation. I want to emphasize that this document is of great importance for both sides and covers specific areas of cooperation, such as military geography, meteorology, military topography, defence planning, safety of information, participation in international missions," Hende said.