"First of all, our partnership has not been terminated. On the contrary, it is closer than ever. Secondly, it sends a message to the whole region that the United States stands by Georgia. We are strategic partners and we will take all challenges as a common one,” – he said.

The Defense Minister spoke about the importance of the document signed between Georgia and the United States during Lloyd Austin's visit. He explained the priorities of the ten-year development plan of the Ministry of Defense elaborated during PM Gharibashvili’s tenure as Defense Minister had been agreed with the partners.