Georgian troops will also leave Afghanistan per the schedule agreed with NATO, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili reported. PM added that the Georgian military repeatedly proved that it could take on the responsibility of collective defence.

“Georgia has been making a worthy contribution to global security for many years. Our fighters are actively involved in ongoing NATO and EU-led military operations and missions. Georgia has been a contributor to the NATO mission in Afghanistan for the past ten years, since 2004. Our country is one of the largest contributors to the RSM mission. 860 Georgian servicemen are still serving in the NATO contingent in Afghanistan.

Our military in Afghanistan repeatedly proved that Georgia could take on the responsibility of collective defence. That is essential in achieving our strategic goal of full NATO membership.

Today, NATO decided to phase out its mission in Afghanistan by September this year. Accordingly, Georgian units will also leave Afghanistan per the schedule agreed with NATO. We have intensive consultations with our strategic partner, the United States. The Georgian contingent will leave Afghanistan in coordination with them.

As a member of the international community, it is extremely important for Georgia that Afghanistan never again becomes a haven for terrorists. We are proud to have contributed to this goal.

I would like to thank every Georgian soldier who has made a worthy contribution to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration by participating in this responsible mission at various times.

We pay special tribute to the soldiers who died in the Afghanistan mission, to the Georgian heroes who sacrificed their lives for the sake of global peace and security. We bow before them,” Gharibashvili said.

Foreign troops under NATO command will withdraw from Afghanistan in coordination with the US pull-out by September 11. NATO allies agreed on Wednesday, pledging to mirror American plans to start removing troops on May 1 after two decades of war.