Georgian Defence Minister visits Turkey, attends EFES-2026 drills

Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani is visiting Turkey at the invitation of Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, where he attended the demonstration phase of the multinational military exercise EFES-2026 at the Doganbey training ground in Izmir, with Georgian servicemen participating in both staff and field exercises.

The Georgian Defence Ministry said alongside the exercises, Chikovani and Güler held bilateral talks focused on current defence cooperation and future plans between the two countries.

Chikovani thanked Turkey for its continued support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and highlighted the close cooperation between the two states in the defence sphere.

The sides also discussed regional security challenges, as well as bilateral and trilateral defence cooperation formats, including high-level visits, joint drills, training courses and expert-level consultations.

The Ministry said EFES-2026 is one of the largest and most strategically significant multinational exercises organised by the Turkish Armed Forces, involving nearly 50 countries.

Georgia’s Defence Forces participated in the exercise for the fourth time.

Members of the Georgian delegation also attended a defence industry exhibition organised within the drills and viewed products manufactured by leading Turkish defence companies.