Defence minister stresses gov’t policy over occupied territories “peaceful”, dismisses opposition claims on armed forces conditions
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze said Thursday that “such comfort and social conditions have never existed in the army before”. Photo: defence ministry press office
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Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Thursday said the policy of the ruling Georgian Dream authorities over the Russian-occupied regions of the country was “solely peaceful” and restoration of territorial integrity possible “only peacefully”, while also dismissing allegations of the domestic political opposition on poor conditions in the army as “disinformation and fake”.
In comments on the former subject, Burchuladze told an interview with Imedi TV the Noble Partner multinational exercises - recently hosted in Georgia with involvement of 2,400 servicemembers from 21 countries - were “planned exercises conducted for the sixth time [and] having no connection with any specific plans for militarisation”.
In remarks on conditions for professionals serving in the armed forces, he told the channel social support packages and nutrition for servicemembers were “better than ever”, slamming a part of opposition politicians for their recent comments that military professionals were leaving the country due to low wages and “disrespect”.
Pointing to growth in the economy, the minister said his state body was expected to receive additional ₾98 million ($35 million) in budgetary funds, to ensure “further improvements” in conditions for the military personnel.
Minister said that ensuring"high-level conditions" for servicemembers was a "top priority". Photo:defence ministry press office.
Salaries of low-ranking military personnel have already been increased twice this year by 2-25 percent. At the initiative of the prime minister, the salaries will increase by 10 percent in January. We have plans to additionally increase the pay of our military personnel", said Burchuladze.
The minister added receiving flats in Tbilisi from the state was a “big motivation” for armed forces professionals, noting the ongoing construction of residential blocks on Makhata mountain in Tbilisi - designed for 1050 flats to be offered to servicemembers - would be completed by the end of this year.
In general, inflow and outflow [of personnel] from the army is quite natural, and we contrast it with the conditions that we managed to create in the army. Such comfort and social conditions have never existed in the army before, although we are not satisfied with the achievements and are trying for even better”, Burchuladze said.
The defence minister also noted the quality of food for servicemembers - which he said was of “top quality on the market, including fresh meat and dairy products” - was monitored by professionals.
More than 2,400 servicemembers from 21 countries will be involved in this year’s Noble Partner defence drills in Georgia, with the exercise set to feature troops from Japan and Sweden for the first time, the Ministry of Defence of Georgia announced on Tuesday.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday inspected the ongoing construction of a residential district on the outskirts of Tbilisi, with the project designed for servicemembers and their families and dubbed Army City.
Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that starting from January 2020 wounded or injured Georgian soldiers will receive monthly salary supplements between 200-800 GEL [$69-274] based on their physical condition.
Georgia is going to build a 'military town' on Makhata Mountain in central Tbilisi where servicemembers will be offered affordable housing, announced Minister of Defence Irakli Gharibashvili earlier today.
Security environment in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia and in the vicinity of the occupation line, as well as the illegal actions of the occupation forces, were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili and the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions from the UN and OSCE - Cihan Sultanoğlu and Viorel Moșanu.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Wednesday praised conditions provided for the country's servicememembers as “better than in most of European states” and announced launch of new projects for domestic defence production and introduction of a defence code to promote armed forces among the youth.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Friday thanked the country’s prime minister Irakli Garibashvili for his recent announcement on the increase in salaries for servicemembers and law enforcement officers by 20 percent starting in January, calling the move - “very important.”
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday discussed the country’s new defence code with defence minister Juansher Burchuladze and other officials of the body, with the document involving a modernising of the conscript and reserve systems and further steps to ensure better social conditions for servicemembers.
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday laid the foundation for the construction of a new, NATO-standard base for the country’s special operations forces in an event marking the 23rd anniversary of their establishment.