Georgia, Italy to intensify military co-op
By Jamila Babayeva
The defense ministers of Georgia and Italy held the first official meeting in Rome on March 13, as Defense Minister Irakli Alasania was hosted by his Italian counterpart Roberta Pinotti.
The parties emphasized the current close contacts between the two countries' defense ministries and expressed their support for intensification of cooperation in this sphere, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported.
Alasania informed his Italian counterpart about the implemented and planned reforms in defense sphere.
Special attention was paid to participation of the Georgian contingent in ISAF mission and the plans after the completion of the peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan.
The parties also discussed the issues of intensification of Georgian-Italian cooperation in the military sphere.
Pinotti expressed satisfaction with the processes taking place in Georgia and pointed out that she is glad for the country's successes towards integration into NATO.
The Georgian delegation also expected to visit Italian Armed Forces Officers Club, the highest educational and scientific center of the Defense Ministry where it will meet with cadets and officers.
The delegation will also visit Italian Air Force Flight Center and become familiar with its work.