TBILISI. Nov 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The number of Georgian officers who study in Russian higher military educational establishments should be reduced, Lieutenant General David Tevzadze, former defense minister, told a session of the Georgian parliament on Wednesday.
Tevzadze was discussed as a candidate for the defense minister at the session.
Some 600 Georgian cadets are studying in Russia but graduates of Russian higher military educational establishments cannot boast a training level that meets current demands and standards of the Georgian Armed Forces, Tevzadze added.
Besides, Georgia owes USD22m to Russia for the training, Tevzadze stressed. "The country should pay off this and other debts of the Defense Ministry. The Defense Ministry is not a commercial structure and all its expenses should be covered by the treasury," Tevzadze added.
Tevzadze is expected to be approved as defense minister on Wednesday. He was nominated for the post by President Eduard Shevardnadze and majority of factions of the Georgian parliament are going to support his appointment, a spokesman for the Georgian parliament administration told Interfax-Military News Agency.