Deputy Interior Minister holds inaugural meeting with newly appointed US DTRA Caucasus Regional Director

Shalva Tadumadze, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, has hosted an introductory meeting with Anthony Spears, the newly appointed Regional Director for the Caucasus at the US Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Stephanie Pennington, DTRA Country Programme Manager for Georgia, alongside senior officials from various departments across the ministry, also attended the meeting.

Tadumadze congratulated Anthony Spears on taking up his post and wished him success in his new duties.

During the talks, both sides reviewed current joint initiatives and completed measures under existing agency cooperation, while identifying priority areas for future engagement. The parties focused on the strategic importance of the chemical triage forensic laboratory, which was transferred to the Forensic-Criminalistic Department under the Chemical Safety Project, thereby significantly enhancing the unit’s operational capability.

Tadumadze also highlighted NEXUS Georgia 2026, a large-scale, inter-agency field exercise organised by DTRA. The exercise aimed to demonstrate inter-agency readiness and operational coordination at both tactical and operational levels during chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, whilst further bolstering the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ response capabilities.

Concluding the meeting, representatives of the US Defence Threat Reduction Agency underscored the vital importance of ongoing partnership between the two nations’ law enforcement bodies, expressing confidence that joint efforts will continue to deepen these ties.