I am convinced that the debates and discussions here will be particularly topical and distinguished by the quality and the results, as we are in a country where 20% of the territory is occupied by the Russian Federation, Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili said at the 13th Georgia Defense and Security Conference (GDSC) being held in Batumi, Adjara region of Georgia.

Defense Minister said that the conference was the opportunity to discuss security challenges and their resolution means. The Minister thanked partner countries and organizations for their active support and efforts. According to Gharibashvili, over the years the Georgian Defense and Security Conference has become an important platform for discussing current regional and international issues.

“We are living in an era where, along with our growing capabilities, security challenges are growing dynamically and multilaterally, requiring constant attention and responsiveness. Realizing the significant changes in world dynamics, we are responsibly addressing these challenges and working to deepen our awareness of the changing global environment that include the political, economic and military spheres.

This year’s Defense and Security Conference will focus on these important issues and the security environment in the Black Sea region. We want to focus particularly on NATO’s commitments, strengthening its eastern borders by enhancing its member states’ deterrence capability as well as Georgia’s role in maintaining regional stability and ensuring international security.

I am convinced that the debates and discussions here will be particularly topical and distinguished by the quality and the results, as we are in a country where 20% of the territory is occupied by the Russian Federation, the process of “borderization”, destructive actions and attempts to destabilize it continue along the administrative dividing line. This is a geostrategic region that is vital for many countries,” Gharibashvili said.