Admiral Stavridis met with the Minister of Defence of Georgia Irakli Alasania today. At the meeting the sides discussed Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration perspectives, ongoing defence reforms and Georgia's participation in international missions. The US-Georgian bilateral cooperation in defence sphere was also highlighted at the meeting. The results of the meeting were summarized at the special briefing for media representatives.

"We had a very fruitful meeting with the Admiral. Admiral Stavridis arrived in our country to thank Georgia for its contribution to ISAF mission and generally in terms of NATO partnership. We talked about the future perspectives of our relationship with NATO and the US-Georgian military cooperation. I'd like to thank Admiral for finding time to visit Georgia. We all consider him as a great friend of Georgia," declared Irakli Alasania.

Admiral Stavridis thanked Georgia and the Georgian military servicemen on behalf of the Alliance: "It is my honor today to return to this historic and extremely impressive city of Tbilisi and this very brave country of Georgia. I had an excellent meeting with Minister of Defence today - thank you very much. I also had a privilege to meeting with the Prime Minister earlier today. My principle message is very simple - it is thank you. Thank you to Georgia for the extraordinary work of brave Georgian soldiers in Afghanistan. I am told that Georgia's commitment to continue the operations in Afghanistan is strong and I welcome that. The international community today in Afghanistan consists of fifty nations and Georgia is the largest troop contributing nation other than several other NATO nations. It is an extremely impressive part of the strong partnership between Georgia and NATO today. We are also, in NATO very proud of the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgia and the progress towards NATO membership. NATO knows that it has a very special and proud partner in Georgia and Georgia should know that it has a strong friend and partner in NATO. Georgians can also be assure that NATO's unwavering support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders. There is no doubt, that Georgia will remain a fundamental partner for NATO going forward in the future and I again will say thank you to the Minister of Defence. Thank you to the Prime Minister, Thank you to all of Georgia. In a few moments I will visit with Georgian soldiers who are wounded in Afghanistan and I will thank them with all my heart on behalf of the NATO alliance for the great partnership we enjoy with Georgia."

In the framework of the visit, Admial Stavridis met with the Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili. Defence Minister Irakli Alasania also attended the meeting. According to Prime Minister, cooperation with the United States is fruitful and specific and practical steps are being taken to support strategic partnership. As Prime Minister outlined the United States European Command, which is mainly responsible for cooperation with Georgia, plays the most important role for development of partnership between armed forces of the two countries.