U.S. Secretary of Defense sends letter to Georgia’s Defense Minister

U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has set a letter to Georgia’s Defense Minister Levan Izoria. 

‘Your Excellency, It was a pleasure meeting you at the February NATO-Georgia Commission in Brussels. I respect your nation’s steadfast commitment to our shared democratic values and I am humbled by the tremendous sacrifices Georgia has made with us on the battlefields of Afghanistan. Your country’s contributions in the name of global peace and security serve as an example of the power of values-based international partnerships’, - the letter reads.

‘I appreciated listening to the clear and well-reasoned presentation of the progress of Georgia’s defense transformation efforts. Change, although difficult, is a necessary element of your country’s aspiration to integrate with the West. The Department of Defense stands ready to assist as Georgia embarks on this ambitious defense reform journey. I strongly urge you to stay true to the principles of your charted course.

Despite daunting security challenges, Georgia continues to help maintain stability in an otherwise uncertain world. I am honored to count your nation as a strategic partner and I look forward to meeting with you again soon,’ the letter says.