French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has begun an official visit to Georgia for talks focusing on boosting Tbilisi’s military defenses.
Speaking in Tbilisi on September 10 at the start of his three-day visit, Le Drian said France would “soon make a proposal for action so that Georgia is able to develop effective means of [ensuring] its air defense, which is central to its sovereignty.”
Tbilisi last year signed a $10 million deal with Paris on the acquisition of air defenses.
Most of Georgia’s air-defense systems were destroyed in August 2008 during a brief war with Russia.
Le Drian met with Georgia’s Defense Minister Levan Izoria on September 10.
France’s embassy in Tbilisi said Le Drian was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirkashvili on September 11 and with President Giorgi Margvelashvili on September 12.
NATO leaders agreed in 2008 that Georgia will one day become a member of the alliance but has refused so far to put the former Soviet republic on a formal membership path amid concerns about Russia's reaction to the move.
French Defense Minister Pledges To Help Tbilisi During Georgia Visit
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
At Least 50,000 Russian Military Deaths, Likely Thousands More, Recorded In Ukraine War
2'The Best' For Putin: How The Kremlin Stands To Gain From Iran's Attack On Israel
3Israel Vows Victory, Retaliation In 'Fashion And Timing' Of Its Choosing
4Explainer: The 'Kamikaze' Drones Iran Used To Attack Israel
5Iran's Unprecedented But Choreographed Attack On Israel Underlines Tehran's Limits
6Situation In East Has 'Deteriorated,' Ukrainian Commander Says, As Dry Conditions Aid Russia
7Live Briefing: Russia Invades Ukraine
8Wider Europe Briefing: Kosovo Could Finally Get In The Council Of Europe
9At Least 17 Dead In Ukraine As Zelenskiy Laments Lack Of Air Defenses
10Under Investigation Across Europe, Pro-Kremlin Voice Of Europe Has Deep Balkan Ties
Subscribe
