TBILISI. July 5 (Interfax) - The Georgian Defense Ministry said it regrets the U.S. decision to postpone indefinitely the multinational exercise Noble Partner 2024, which is held on the territory of Georgia annually.
"We regret the statement by the U.S. Department of Defense stating that the multinational exercise Noble Partner 2024 has been postponed indefinitely," the Georgian Defense Ministry said in a statement released on Friday.
According to the statement, the international exercise, including Noble Partner 2024, is good both for Georgia and for the United States and the partner states involved in it as it strengthens defense capability, develops servicemen's opportunities, boosts their professionalism and increases operational compatibility.
The ministry said that, despite the postponement of the exercise, cooperation formats with the U.S. continue, including preparations for the multinational exercise 2025.
The Pentagon said earlier on Friday the exercise had been postponed. " The United States will indefinitely postpone this iteration of exercise Noble Partner in Georgia, originally scheduled for July 25 - August 6, 2024," according to a press release published on the Pentagon site. The document states this decision is due to "comprehensive review of the United States - Georgia bilateral relationship."
"On May 30, The US government began a full review of all bilateral cooperation with Georgia. The decision to postpone this iteration of Noble Partner is due to the Georgian government's false accusations against the United States and other western entities, to pressure Georgia to open a second front against Russia to alleviate pressure on Ukraine, and of participating in two coup attempts against the ruling party," the Pentagon said.
In this connection, Washington decided that "this is an inappropriate time to hold a large-scale military exercise in Georgia." In the meantime, the Pentagon said it will continue cooperation with the Georgian Armed Forces.
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