Jun 15 2022

Communications Director, Georgian Permanent Military Representative conduct virtual seminar

SHAPE, Belgium – This week the Director Communications Division Mr Jay Janzen and the Georgian Permanent Military Representative (PNMR) Colonel Gocha Talakhadze conducted a NATO virtual seminar with the Georgian Defence Forces sponsored Defence Academy in Tbilisi.

Mr. Janzen spoke about NATO's Defensive and Deterrence posture, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Georgia's key role as a leading NATO Partner.

The session concluded with a dynamic discussion, with Defence Academy cadets posing questions ranging from Georgia's contribution to NATO operations to the security role of NATO within the Euro-Atlantic environment. The Defence Academy is a leading Georgian institution where cadets conduct academic studies prior to service as a military officer.

"It is very evident that Georgian cadets have an acute awareness of global security dynamics and the challenges faced by such organisations such as NATO," said Mr Janzen, Director. "I was highly impressed by the level of engagement and their immense pride in their country and armed forces. Our discussions on Russian agression in Ukraine were particularly useful and demonstrated their grasp and assessment of strategic, operational and tactical thinking."

Georgian Permanent Military Representative (PNMR) Colonel Gocha Talakhadze, left, and Director Communications Division Mr Jay Janzen conduct a NATO virtual seminar with the Georgian Defence Forces sponsored Defence Academy in Tbilisi on June 15, 2022.

The Georgian PNMR Colonel Talakhadze also engaged with the Georgian cadets and raised points including building future partnership and capacity initiatives. He thanked the Partnership Directorate and SHAPE Engagements for helping organise the event and hoped that all would strive to identify other opportunities following on from the success of NATO-Georgia 22 last month.

Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office