Georgian First Deputy Defence Minister awarded top French state prize
In a meeting held along with the distinction of the Georgian official, Chikovani thanked the French Government for its contribution to the development of Georgia's defence capabilities and pointed out the partnership in the field between the two countries. Photo: Georgian Defence Ministry
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Lela Chikovani, the First Deputy Defence Minister of Georgia, has been awarded the National Order of Merit under a decree of the President of France Emmanuel Macron for “exceptional contribution” to the deepening of cooperation between the countries, the Georgian Defence Ministry announced on Monday.
The prize, awarded for the most significant military and civilian achievements, is the highest national award of France, the Ministry added.
In a meeting held along with the distinction of the Georgian official, Chikovani thanked the French Government for its contribution to the development of Georgia's defence capabilities and pointed out the partnership in the field between the two countries.
Representatives of the two countries’ defence bodies discussed questions of bilateral cooperation and future prospects, in addition to joint efforts of Georgian and French troops in the ongoing peacekeeping missions and multinational exercises in Africa.
Meeting participants also highlighted the support of France in the development of Georgian air defences under the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, designed to develop Georgia’s defence capability and interoperability with the alliance.
Georgia’s “unwavering” Euro-Atlantic aspirations were also emphasised during the meeting, in addition to the officials reviewing the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and their impact on the Black Sea region.
The strategic dialogue between France and Georgia provides “intensive multilateral consultations," including in the field of defence and security, the Ministry said.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze met with Head of NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer on Wednesday and discussed the military cooperation between Georgia and the alliance.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has visited France to take part in events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the recognition of the Democratic Republic of Georgia by France in Paris. Zurabishvili participated in a ceremony dedicated to the memory of Georgian Vice-Colonel Dimitri Amilakhvari on September 26 and posthumously awarded him the Order of National Hero. She presented the state award to the descendants of Amilakhvari.
Georgia is celebrating the founding day of its Defence Ministry on September 9. Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze has announced that the ministry’s employees and defence forces’ military servicemen with 25 or more years of service were awarded cash prizes on the occasion of the anniversary.
The first meeting of a historic, French-Georgian dialogue format, named after the legendary Georgian officer and national hero of France Dimitri Amilakhvari, is scheduled to take place later today in Paris. Georgia is the first country in the region that France has accepted to have the dialogue with which aims to further strengthen cooperation in politics, defence, security, trade and finance, culture and education.
Joint work in defence exercises and training of territorial reserve units are part of cooperation efforts included in a five-year bilateral cooperation plan signed between the National Guard of Georgia and the Norwegian Interior Guard, Georgia’s Defence Ministry announced on Thursday.
Marek Szczygiel, the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, on Tuesday discussed cooperation between the body and Georgian authorities with Lela Chikovani, the First Deputy Defence Minister of Georgia.