Georgia, Tbilisi, Dec. 27 / Trend N. Kirtzkhalia /
Georgia and the United States have held bilateral consultations in the defense sphere in Washington on Dec. 26, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported.
During the meeting U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Michele Flournoy expressed U.S. full support to Georgia in the reforming defense system. Flournoy thanked Georgia for contribution to ISAF operation in Afghanistan.
The Georgian delegation was headed by the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, Nodar Kharshiladze. The delegation included the Deputy Defense Minister, Deputy Commanders of the Joint Staff, Colonel Iveri Subeliani and Vice-Colonel Lasha Beridze.
During the consultations the parties particularly drew attention to deepening cooperation between the two countries in the defense sphere. During the meeting the doctrine of cooperation was scrutinized in detail, and the new spheres for future cooperation were determined.
The countries discussed such issues as developing of Georgian defense institutes, upgrading professional military education system and improving expeditionary opportunities.
The bilateral consultations in the defense sphere between Georgia and the U.S. are held traditionally every year and provide determination of major strategic directions of cooperation.
The delegation of Georgian Defense Ministry is back from Washington.