Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defense of Georgia, on Thursday claimed NATO highlighted Georgia’s “significance” and “reliability” as a “strategic partner” in the South Caucasus region, during the discussions this week with the country’s delegation chaired by Irakli Kobakhidze, the newly appointed Prime Minister. 

The official asserted the alliance saw Georgia “not only as a recipient of its aid” to strengthen self-defense capabilities, but also as a “reliable ally” which had contributed to global peace and security through its engagement in international peace missions. 

Chikovani, who assumed the official post earlier this month in Kobakhidze’s administration, also stressed NATO had praised the “skills and professionalism” of the Georgian military, before highlighting the significance of joint military exercises. 

He noted cooperation with both individual members of NATO and the bilateral partnership with the alliance had “further upgraded” over the past several years.