Pentagon chief says US values Georgia as strategic partner
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin thanked Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze “for extending such a warm welcome on my first visit to Georgia as Secretary of Defense.”
“The United States values Georgia as a strategic partner, and our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering,” Lloyd Austin underscored.
US Secretary of Defense has arrived in Georgia on Monday. As part of a trip, Secretary Austin is visiting Georgia, Ukraine, and Romania and will participate in the NATO Defense Ministerial in Belgium.
Thank you to Minister Burchuladze for extending such a warm welcome on my first visit to Georgia as Secretary of Defense. The United States values Georgia as a strategic partner, and our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. pic.twitter.com/Z2yu8RuNRR
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 18, 2021
The parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative.
“This initiative marks a new phase of our bilateral security cooperation, and it demonstrates the U.S. commitment to supporting Georgia,” Lloyd Austin said in a tweet.
I’m honored to join Minister Burchuladze in signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative. This initiative marks a new phase of our bilateral security cooperation, and it demonstrates the U.S. commitment to supporting Georgia. pic.twitter.com/LSlOts33gw
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 18, 2021