Tbilisi. November 9th. INTERFAX - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced Georgia's readiness to assist NATO in ensuring security in the Black Sea.
"Georgia is a devoted ally and participant in global security. We are well aware of the importance of the security of the Black Sea and aim to help our allies in this direction," Garibashvili said.
On Tuesday evening, he visited the flagship of the 6th Fleet of the US Navy "Mount Whitney", which entered the port of Batumi. The prime minister is quoted by his press service.
According to Garibashvili, the visit of the US 6th Fleet ships "Mount Whitney" and "Porter" to Batumi once again confirms the strong strategic relations between Georgia and the United States.
"Compatibility between the commands, exercises focused on partnership and the unification of our forces in times of crisis is the best means of ensuring peace in the region," the Georgian Prime Minister said at a reception organized on board the Mount Whitney.
In turn, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan, addressing the audience, said that the visit of American ships to the port of Batumi confirms the firm support of the United States for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
Vice Admiral Gene Black, Commander of the US 6th Fleet, said in his speech that Georgia is a strategic partner of the United States, and the United States is committed to maintaining close bilateral relations and will continue to assist Georgia in the development of its defense capability.
The ships of the 6th Fleet of the US Navy "Mount Whitney" and "Porter" entered the Georgian port of Batumi last Monday.
As the US Embassy in Georgia reported earlier, the visit of American ships to the territorial waters of Georgia underlines the importance of relations between NATO allies and Georgia.