Georgian Ministry of Defense
June 15, 2022

The Minister of Defense of Georgia discussed security issues in the Black Sea region with his Bulgarian and Turkish counterparts

Within the framework of the NATO Defense Ministerial, the Minister of Defense of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze met with the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Bulgaria Dragomir Zakov and the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey Hulusi Akar. One of the main topics of the meeting with the defense ministers of both countries, against the background of Russian aggression, was the security of the Black Sea region. The conversation focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine….The importance of Western support…in the region was especially emphasized at the meetings. During the bilateral meetings, Juansher Burchuladze thanked his Bulgarian and Turkish counterparts for their support of Georgia. The topic of conversation was also Euro-Atlantic aspirations and Georgia’s contribution to international peacekeeping missions.

During the conversation with Hulu Akar, Juansher Burchuladze discussed the issues of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense and future plans….He spoke about Turkey’s contribution to the implementation of the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP) initiatives, political and practical support, and cooperation in the field of military education.

Juansher Burchuladze and Dragomir Zakov discussed issues of cooperation in the field of defense, including support for Georgia on its path to NATO membership, multinational military exercises, training and education of Georgian servicemen.

Georgia participates in the NATO Defense Ministerial as a NATO partner country. The meeting of the Defense Ministers of the Alliance member and partner countries is taking place at the NATO Headquarters.

Photograph: Georgian Ministry of Defense