Georgia, Tbilisi, November 18 / Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /
Vano Merabishvili, the Interior Minister of Georgia, and Ray Maybas, the US Secretary of the Navy, today examined coastguard cooperation issues. The meeting was held at the Office of the Interior Ministry behind the closed doors.
The question was about development of bilateral cooperation and security issues, Vano Merabishvili told journalists after the meeting.
"While different divisions of the Interior Ministry are financed from the state budget, the Georgia's coastguard service is rendered substantial financial aid by the United States," he said.
Merabishvili said Georgia will enjoy US assistance to install radar systems to control its space fully.
In addition, the two sides explore the opportunity of a closer cooperation in the field of prevention of marine smuggling of arms, drugs, and weapons of mass destruction, the Georgian Interior Chief said.
The US Secretary of the Navy underscored partner relations between Georgia and the US and said US and Georgian military are trained together and serve in Afghanistan hand in hand.
"Our and Georgian naval infantrymen serve jointly in Afghani province Gelmend and show their best," he said.
The US Secretary of the Navy also noted that US warships will continue to arrive in the Black Sea to carry out military training jointly with Georgia's coastguard ships.
"Georgia is a good partner of America so the cooperation, including military one should get stronger," he noted.