Defence Minister welcomes US bases in Georgia
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Friday, May 24
Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria stated in the US on Wednesday that Georgia can only welcome the building of the US military bases in Georgia in the future, contradicting the statement of Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili made earlier in the month.
“Our cooperation with the US is developing. We have never had such a close partnership, especially in the defence field. In the future perspective, we only welcome the US military bases in Georgia,” Izoria said.
The minister made the statement for the Georgian Bureau of the Voice of America, in response to the question asked regarding Zourabichvili's previous statement on the issue.
Izoria repeated that Georgia and the US will sign a three-year agreement at the end of the year in the defence field, which will accelerate Georgia's integration into NATO.
Zourabichvili told the Voice of America early in May that US military base in Georgia is not recommended as it will irritate Russia and will also become the target of terrorists.
The opposition has called the statement harmful and demanded explanations from the government.
"I do not think this [constriction of the base] is recommended. I think the country [Georgia] needs to strengthen its self-defence capabilities. There is no need to take steps that can be perceived as provocative, and I do not think that the United States is ready to have a military base here, which will draw the attention of not only Russia but also of terrorists who are very active in our region.
“Based on the existing mutual understanding, we should strengthen our cooperation and should not take such steps that can stir a provocation,” Zourabichvili stated.
Vice Parliament Speaker of Georgia Tamar Chugoshvili stated that building of the US military bases in Georgia is not on the agenda, saying she is surprised the issue was raised at all.
