EU defence official hails Georgia’s contribution to EU-led missions
Pedro Serrano and Levan Izoria speak to press after the meeting today. Photo: Defence Ministry's press office
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Pedro Serrano Deputy Secretary General for Common Security and Defence Policy and Crisis Response at the European External Action Service is on his first official visit to Georgia.
At the press conference with Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria, Sorrano said the EU supports the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Levan Izoria and Perdo Serrano meet Georgian servicemen at army hall. Photo: Defence Ministry's press office
The EU official also underscored that Georgia makes a huge contribution to the EU-led missions, especially, in its peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic.
Georgia’s contribution in ensuring stability alongside with the EU member states is highly important”, Serrano said.
Minister Izoria said Serrano’s visit is “a clear message” both for Georgia and the international community that “reforms process in the country is successfully underway”.
Together with other directions, EU pays huge importance to cooperation with Georgia in the fields of defence and security”, he said.
Earlier today, Pedro Serrano, together with the EUMM Head of Mission Erik Høeg, joined a patrol from the mission field offices at Gori and Mtskheta.
Pleased to have #EEAS Deputy Sec.Gen. Pedro Serrano visit our HQ and join us for a patrol at the Administrative Boundary Line. Mr. Serrano was briefed on security situation and challenges for local communities, had a chance to observe features and consequences of borderization. pic.twitter.com/h09zS54uUe
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) March 20, 2019
During the patrols, he was briefed on the general security situation in the area and had the opportunity to observe ‘borderisation’ along the Administrative Boundary Line with Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), EUMM said.
- Georgian platoons have been taking part in the European Union training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) since January 2017, taking over from a quick reaction force unit that participated in the EU External Action in the republic in March 2015.
- The maiden Georgian contribution in the RCA took place starting in 2014, when service members from Georgia joined the EU Military Operation in the state.