Such exercises make Georgia’s NATO membership even more realistic, and we are getting closer to our declared principle – to see more NATO in Georgia and more Georgia in NATO, – Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said at the closing ceremony of Agile Spirit 2019 multinational international military training at Orpholo polygon.

According to the head of government, Georgian soldiers served as real partners of their counterparts, shared the relevant experience and are ready to demonstrate operational capability in a multinational environment.

“Eleven years have passed since the worst tragedy when the Russian Federation occupied two historic regions of Georgia. This is the most painful challenge for our country. Dear friends, our response to this most pressing challenge is only peace and development of Georgia.

The Georgian nation made its civilized choice, which implies Georgia’s full integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. This is a sovereign, civilized choice of our nation and it is not directed against anyone. These exercises have helped to further strengthen the interoperability of Georgia with the United States and its partner countries and to maintain a stable and secure environment in the Black Sea region,” Bakhtadze said.