In the framework of Georgia Defence Readiness Programme (GDRP) the first training is being conducted. III Platoon of I Light Infantry Company of the 43rd Battalion of IV Mechanized Brigade is the first military unit going through combat preparation within the GDRP. The instructors of NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (JTEC) and Joint Multinational Readiness Center of the United States European Command are training the Georgian soldiers.

The military personnel were practiced at Vaziani  4th firing ground aimed at enhancing the combat preparedness level of the Georgian military unit.

In 2016, Ministry of Defnce of Georgia and the U.S Department of Defence concluded the Framework Agreement in security field for 2016-2019. Minister of Defence Levan Izoria and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Michael Carpenter signed the document. One of the key components of the Agreement is GDRP implementation. 

David Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy celebrated its 24th anniversary. The event was opened with the performance of the National Anthem of Georgia by the military orchestra of the National Guard.

The Minister of Defence Levan Izoria, Chancellor of the National Security Council David Rakviashvili, Chief of General Staff Major General Vladimir Chachibaia and the rector of the academy Colonel Zaza Japaridze congratulated the representatives of the institution with the jubilee. The attendees of the event also included Deputy Defence Minister Nukri Gelashvili, Deputy Defence Minister Zaal Kapalandze, deputies of the Chief of General Staff and the families of military personnel and students of the academy.

Within the ceremonial event, number of academy’s personnel has been decorated for the successful military service. The Medal "For Irreproachable Service" was awarded to four servicemen in the 1st class and to fifteen servicemen in the 2nd class, while three servicemen of the academy received the award rifles. Students of the academy distinguished in various sports and educational activities were also awarded at the ceremony, five of whom additionally received timepieces from Timer Georgia LLC.

The event ended with the concert by the academy students, sports activities and a gala dinner.

David Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy is the educational institution with the fundamental goals of promoting academic and military education, fostering the development of Georgian Armed Forces and upbringing generations of the officers of high morale and leadership skills.

The academy was founded on May 28, 1993 and since the first graduation of officers in 1997 it went through a number of significant changes. In 2011 the academy was granted a status of the educational university, followed by the establishment of the bachelors and masters’ degree programs and the development of the officers’ educational system and career schools. On September 8, 2015, within the status of the educational university, the first group of officers graduated the academy. 105 lieutenants earned the bachelors’ degree.

David Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy actively continues the development of its study programs that fully correspond to the international educational 

Strasbourg - Anna Fotyga, Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) of the European Parliament issued a statement in which she expresses deep concern about latest developments in the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia, namely the so-called “parliamentary elections” that took place in the occupied region of Abkhazia on March 12 and the so-called “presidential elections” in the occupied Tskhinvali region to be held on April 9. These “elections” are taking place against the background of waves of ethnic cleansing in both regions and of serious violations of human rights. “Any attempt to legitimize forcibly changed demographic situation of both regions is unacceptable” - Anna Fotyga writes.
The Chair of the SEDE condemns the so-called referendum planned on April 9 in the Tskhinvali region aimed at changing its name, which is aimed to prepare ground for its illegal annexation.
She calls upon the democratic world to give an adequate assessment to this provocative attempt to violate sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and to gradually incorporate the region into the Russian Federation. 
Anna Fotyga strongly condemns the signing of so-called agreement on incorporation of the unlawful military units of the occupied Tskhinvali region into the armed forces of the Russian Federation that took place on 31 March 2017. “This step continues a policy of annexation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions by the Russian Federation that began with signing of so-called treaties of alliance and integration/strategic alliance between Russia and its occupation regimes in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali. Integration of Georgia’s occupied regions into the military system of the Russian Federation also adds up to Moscow’s continued refusal to commit to the non-use of force in the region and to comply with the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement. The EU should make it clear that by these provocative actions the Russian Federation is seriously harming the Geneva International Discussions and intentionally obstructs any potential progress in the peace process” – she says.
Anna Fotyga expresses her deep concern about the latest instance of closure of crossing points along the Administrative Boundary Line with Abkhazia, which, according to her, aggravates even more the situation on the ground.  “This measure is aimed at further restricting freedom of movement and people to people contacts which has been an important factor of confidence-building in the conflict-torn region”.
The statement also reads that the Subcommittee on Security and Defence will continue to closely monitor and assess the situation in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and 

The delegation of Ministry of Defence of Georgia, under the leadership of Minister Levan Izoria, visited the Riksdag - the national legislature of the Kingdom of Sweden on the second day of the visit in Sweden.  Allan Widman, Chairman of the Swedish national parliament's Committee on Defense hosted the Georgian delegation members in the Parliament.
Levan Izoria briefed the legislators about the ongoing defence transformation in Defence Ministry and highlighted his vision for the strategic development of defence sector. Minister underlined the initiative regarding intensification of defence cooperation with Georgia in the format of Scandinavian and Baltic countries.  NATO-Georgia relations, the projects led under the aegis of NATO, Defence Readiness Program and Georgia`s participation in international missions were highlighted during discussions. According to Minister, the consultations with Swedish experts is important for the successful implementation of the reforms and provides the Georgian military with a good opportunity of sharing Swedish experience including in the field of military education.
The sides referred to bilateral cooperation plans in defence area and underlined the current bilateral partnership in various directions. Levan Izoria confirmed the readiness of the Georgian side to deepen partnership with the Kingdom of Sweden. In parallel to Georgia`s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the active engagement of Georgia`s partner nations in the implementation of the projects under the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package is critically important. Minister accentuated the importance of Swedish experts` involvement in the Joint NATO-Georgia Trainings and Evaluation Centre in terms of sharing their experience with Georgian colleagues from February 2017.
During the meeting held in the Swedish Parliament, the topics of the discussion included Enhanced Opportunities Initiative format adopted at the Wales Summit. Georgia and Sweden are the members of this initiative. The sides outlined that the both countries will take part in political consultations and strategic discussions on a regular basis. 

By visiting the legislative organ, the Riksdag, the MoD delegation finished the official visit in Scandinavian countries. From tomorrow, the Georgian delegation will leave for Estonia to hold official meetings there.

Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani held a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Georgia Christopher Cooter (residing in Ankara). Within the framework of the meeting, the Ambassador presented copies of his credentials to the Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister.
During the meeting, the Canadian Ambassador expressed his government’s firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic course.
The Ambassador congratulated Georgia on the successfully conducted parliamentary elections highlighting the huge potential in terms of deepening co-operation between the two countries in the defence sector.
David Zalkaliani emphasized that Georgia can offer one of the most attractive environments for business, and it is important that Canadian companies receive information on Georgia’s investment and business potential.
The sides spoke about the importance of exchanging bilateral visits between the two countries.  David Zalkaliani wished the new Ambassador success in his future activities.
  

Foreign Minister of Georgia H.E. Mikheil Janelidze welcomed H.E Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt Hon Alan Duncan MP for a bilateral visit to Georgia. The visit took place in parallel with the third round of the high level UK-Georgia bilateral “Wardrop” Dialogue, led by Foreign Minister of Georgia, Mikheil Janelidze and Minister of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP. The dialogue is named after Sir Oliver Wardrop, an expert on Georgian language and culture who was posted to Tbilisi as the UK’s first Chief Commissioner of the Transcaucasus from 1919-1921.
Summary: Discussions during the Wardrop Dialogue covered current and future UK-Georgia cooperation in the political, defence and security spheres;  process for Georgia’s integration  with the EU and NATO; progress on priority reforms, including the government’s 4 point reform plan, and judicial reform in Georgia; and an exchange of views on regional political and security developments. Both sides positively evaluated the work achieved under the Wardrop Dialogue banner so far in the fields of foreign policy, security and defence, business and the economy. The introduction of a new session on People-to-People relations brought a new element to this year’s Wardrop Dialogue, with a particular emphasis on developing educational ties, cultural collaboration and city twinning. 
At the opening Ministerial Plenary Session Minister Janelidze gave an update on developments in Georgia since the last session in 2015, including the October Parliamentary elections, and a forward look at the new Government of Georgia's agenda. Minister for Europe and the Americas Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP said that the UK looked forward to continuing to work with  Georgia, and gave an update on developments in the UK since the last Dialogue in 2015. He stressed that the UK would maintain a leading role in global affairs through the UNSC, NATO, G7, and G20, and that the UK’s decision to leave the EU would not mean any reduction in its interest in, or commitment to, Georgia and the wider region.  Minister Duncan stressed that the UK follows the conflict in Georgia and he condemned the ratification by the Russian Federation of the so-called “agreement” on the creation of a joint group of armed forces in Abkhazia region. In recognition of the value of this annual Dialogue and the close ties between our two countries, Minister Janelidze and Minister Duncan agreed to an upgrade of the UK-Georgia dialogue to become the “Wardrop Strategic Dialogue”.
During official level discussions, the two sides discussed cooperation on political, security and defence issues; business and economic cooperation; and the potential for further expanding people-to-people ties, education and cultural links. In the political, security and defence discussions, the UK side noted that the October parliamentary elections had been competitive and well-administered, and expressed its strong continuing support for Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations.
The UK also reiterated once again its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, and expressed concern over the grave security and human rights situation in Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. The UK firmly supports the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Georgia, based on full respect of the fundamental norms and principles of international law and the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement.
The two sides welcomed the strong security and defence relationship between their two Governments, noting the extent of defence cooperation, and welcoming continued exchange of expertise on Cyber and Counter-Terrorism issues. The UK expressed its appreciation for Georgia’s continuing contribution to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. Both sides welcomed the participation of 160 British military personnel in the US-Georgia military exercise Noble Partner 2016.
The two sides discussed further potential for deepening business and commercial ties, noting that the UK was the second biggest investor in Georgia and that bilateral trade is on an increasing trend. They highlighted the importance of the South Caucasus pipeline as an important component of European energy security.
Finally, the two sides welcomed strong existing people-to-people links and explored ways to increase educational and cultural ties between the UK and Georgia, including the activities undertaken by the British Council in Georgia, English language training programmes, the growing number of Chevening Scholarships for Georgia, with 17 Chevening scholars this year alone, and the strong partnerships represented by the twinning associations between Newport and Kutaisi; Tbilisi and Bristol; and Newcastle and Akhaltsikhe. Both sides agreed that all efforts should be made to support and develop these links further.

James Appathurai, NATO Deputy Assisstant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia welcomes NATO-GEO exercise:
“I welcome the start of NATO-GEO 2016, the second NATO-Georgia Exercise, which runs from 10-21 November - another milestone in the long-standing, deep cooperation between NATO and Georgia and further recognition of Georgia' commitment to strong defence, to NATO operations and to international security. For NATO, this reflects the Alliance's commitment to help project stability, share knowledge and expertise and train our forces together. The Joint Training and Evaluation Centre will host the exercise, which involves 350 international personnel from the Georgian Armed Forces, NATO SACT, JFTC, Landcom and many other NATO structures and affiliated centres. NATO-GEO 2016 will train a Georgian led multinational brigade headquarters in planning, coordinating and carring out a crisis response operation in a fictitious environment, through a computer assisted, command post exercise,”-he said.

In case of increase USAID Program in Georgia 2 000 working place will be created – this statement was made by the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili at the joint press conference with US Secretary in State John Kerry.
“This visit has concrete results in bilateral cooperation issue. We have signed the important document which means deepening defence and security cooperation between Georgia and US. One more document was signed by us today. This is education cooperation. This is the exchange program which gives the opportunity of scholarship,”-Giorgi Kvirikashvili said.
According to him, the sides also discussed USAID program.