Georgia, Tbilisi, Aug. 22/Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
During their meeting in Washington U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his Georgian counterpart Irakliy Alasaniya came to an agreement about expanding of cooperation in the military sphere.
As Georgian Defence Minister told Trend on Thursday, this meeting was the first one during the official visit of Alasaniya to USA.
During the meeting Hagel expressed support of USA to Georgian efforts on integration to Euro-Atlantic structures.
"This goal will be achieved by fair presidential elections in Georgia, scheduled for October, and further consolidation of democratic gains," U.S. Defence Secretary said.
Hagel highly appreciated the steps of Georgia, directed towards strengthening civilian control over the country's Armed Forces.
He noted the contribution of Georgia in stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan, where the countries have participated in peacekeeping operations since November 2009, sending175 peacekeepers. Since 2010 its military contingent has increased to 925 people, and since autumn 2012 - to 1.5,000 militaries. In 3.5 years 29 Georgian militaries died and over 110 people injured in Afghanistan.
Within his 7-days visit to USA Alasaniya will meet with the head of the U.S. National Guard Bureau, General Frank Grass. The meetings in Security Council, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Marine Corps and Defense Intelligence Agency are planned as well.
The head of the Georgian Defence Ministry will also visit National Defence Academy of USA.
According to the information, Alasaniya will also take part at the roundtable meeting of the Asia and the Caucasus Institute.
The Defence Ministry will visit the Georgian militaries injured in Afghanistan, who are treated at The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The visit of the Georgian Delegation, which also includes the Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, colonel Irakli Dzneladze , will be completed in August 27.