Defence Minister Visits Afghanistan
Friday, January 9
In the beginning of a New Year, Minister of Defence of Georgia Mindia Janelidze paid a visit to Afghanistan. Defence Minister visited the reinforced company of the IV Mechanized Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces participating in the international mission in Mazar-i Sharif, Afghanistan. Commander of the company, Major Vakhtang Begoidze delivered a presentation to the Minister on the mission the Georgian unit is carrying out.
Following the presentation, Mindia Janelidze met the personnel of the Georgian company and got acquainted to their living conditions. Minister congratulated a happy New Year to the military servicemen and wished them peaceful return to homeland.
Within the official visit to Afghanistan, the Defence Minister held meeting with the representations of the German Command on the base “Marmal”. The reinforced company of the IV Mechanized Brigade has been carrying out the international mission under the German Command for several weeks.
The Defence Minister of Georgia also held meeting with the Commander of “Resolute Support” mission, 4-star General John Campbell.
At the meeting with the U.S. General, Mindia Janelidze discussed Georgia’s contribution to “Resolute Support” mission and security issues. General Campbell underlined the professionalism of Georgian soldiers and expressed gratitude for their participation in the international mission. He also outlined that Georgia is one of the largest non-NATO contributor in the mission.
From 2015 a new NATO-led “Resolute Support” mission has launched where the Georgian contingent carries out the mission under the U.S. and German commands. Within the peacekeeping mission, Afghan National Forces takes responsibility over the country’s security. The coalition forces will provide the local forces with training, advice and assistance for the Afghan security forces.
