TBILISI. Feb 20 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has ordered new Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili to actively participate in the CIS Defense Minister Council.
"The president ordered me to step up activities within the framework of the CIS Defense Minister Council," Bezhuashvili told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
At the same time the minister noted that Georgia's opinion on many issues contradicted that of other members of the CIS Defense Minister Council.
"Georgia does not participate in most projects, sponsored by the CIS Defense Minister Council, and may not participate in such projects in the future, but despite this fact it will try to make its contribution to the work of the Council," Bezhuashvili said.
"Anything, done within the framework of the CIS Defense Minister Council, which is good for Georgia, will be used," he said.
He also noted that Georgia had recently limited itself to sending deputies defense minister to meetings of the CIS Defense Minister Councils.