Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 2 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
Georgian Defense Minister visited his country's military contingent deployed in Afghanistan on New Year's eve. Bacho Akhalaia awarded 8 Georgian servicemen who distinguished themselves in the Afghan operation, Rustavi-2 television reported.
"I again heard NATO command's appreciation of actions of Georgian contingent, which of course makes our country be proud of them", Akhalaia told Rustavi-2
Akhalaia met with ISAF leaders as well as leaders of American contingent. An additional Georgian battalion comprising of 750 servicemen will join American contingent from 2012.
The Georgian Parliament has approved sending this battalion to Afghanistan. As a result, Georgia will become the largest non-NATO contributor to ASAF with a total of 1,650 servicemen.
During the visit the minister awarded 8 Georgian military servicemen with Georgia's highest military honors and wished them every success.
Georgia has lost ten servicemen in the Afghan operation.