Georgia, US discuss cooperation on chemical, biological and nuclear security

Georgia’s Deputy Interior Minister Shalva Tadumadze met with Anthony Spears, the newly appointed Caucasus regional head of the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

The introductory meeting was also attended by Stephanie Pennington, DTRA’s Georgia programme manager, as well as senior officials from various divisions of the Georgian Interior Ministry.

Tadumadze congratulated Spears on his appointment and wished him success in his new position, the ministry’s press service said.

The sides discussed ongoing cooperation between the two agencies, projects already implemented and planned activities, as well as priorities for future cooperation, according to the ministry.

Particular attention was given to a chemical triage examination laboratory provided to the Interior Ministry’s Forensic-Criminalistics Department under DTRA’s Chemical Security Project. The ministry said the facility had significantly strengthened the department’s capabilities.

Tadumadze also highlighted NEXUS Georgia 2026, a large-scale interagency field exercise organised by DTRA. The exercise focused on demonstrating agencies’ tactical and operational readiness and coordination in responding to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, while further strengthening the Interior Ministry’s response mechanisms.

DTRA representatives, meanwhile, stressed the importance of the successful cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of Georgia and the United States and expressed hope that bilateral cooperation would be further deepened through joint efforts, the ministry said.