Statement: The United States has initiated a comprehensive review of the United States – Georgia bilateral relationship. As part of that review, the United States will indefinitely postpone this iteration of exercise NOBLE PARTNER in Georgia, originally scheduled for July 25 – August 6, 2024.
On May 30, The US government began a full review of all bilateral cooperation with Georgia. The decision to postpone this iteration of NOBLE PARTNER is due to the Georgian government’s false accusations against the United States and other western entities, to pressure Georgia to open a second front against Russia to alleviate pressure on Ukraine, and of participating in two coup attempts against the ruling party. As such, the United States Government has determined that this is an inappropriate time to hold a large-scale military exercise in Georgia.
The United States will continue to partner with the Georgian Defense Forces as we look to continue strengthening Georgia’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its territorial integrity.
Happy #4thofJuly to our American friends and partners! ????????values your longstanding friendship and support on our path to democracy,freedom&peace founded on justice and respect for human values.On ID,we wish the ????????nation to remain an inspiration for freedom-loving nations worldwide
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) July 4, 2024
Happy Independence Day to our American friends and partners! As we celebrate this day, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the ????????-???????? strategic partnership and further fostering friendly and collaborative ties between Georgia and the United States.
— Irakli Kobakhidze (@PM_Kobakhidze) July 4, 2024
We have not made this decision lightly, and we place great consideration on the extensive value that our Allies and Partners add to exercises such as NOBLE PARTNER. The United States looks forward to future opportunities to cooperate with Allies and Partners, including AGILE SPIRIT in 2025.
The Georgian Defence Ministry on Friday responded to the decision of the United States Department of Defence on the indefinite postponement of the exercise Noble Partner 2024 in Georgia, originally scheduled from July 25 to August 6, by saying that the decision was regrettable.
The Defence Ministry noted that international exercises, including the Noble Partner 2024, were beneficial not only for Georgia, but for the United States and partner countries as they contributed to strengthening defence capabilities.
“The partnership between the United States and Georgia in defence has been established for decades and is based on the common interests and goals of our countries”, the Georgian Ministry said.
“International exercises, including the Noble Partner 2024, are beneficial for Georgia, as well as for the United States and partner countries participating in it as they contribute to strengthening defence capabilities, developing capabilities of military personnel, raising professionalism and increasing interoperability”, the statement noted.
The Ministry further added that despite the postponement of the exercise, “mutually beneficial” cooperation formats in defence and security sectors were continuing.
“The US Department of Defence and the Ministry of Defence of Georgia have mutually beneficial cooperation formats in defence and security sectors. Despite the postponement of the exercise, the formats mentioned above continue, including preparations for the multinational exercise “Agile Spirit 2025”, the Ministry concluded.
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