Director General of the International Military Staff visits Georgia

Tbilisi, 29 June to 1 July 2026 - Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas, Director General of the International Military Staff (DGIMS), visited Georgia. He met with the First Deputy Minister of Defence of Georgia, Paata Patiashvili, and the Commander of the Georgian Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Giorgi Matiashvili. He also visited the NATO Liaison Office in Tbilisi.

With Georgia's defence and military leadership, the DGIMS discussed the results achieved within the framework of multi-year cooperation, as well as the main aspects of future NATO-Georgia plans. During the meeting, both sides discussed the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP) and its successful implementation, which contributes to strengthening the capabilities of the Georgian Defence Forces and increasing interoperability with NATO.

At a meeting with the Commander of the Georgian Defence Forces, discussions between the delegations focused on the main areas of NATO-Georgia military cooperation. Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas and Lieutenant General Giorgi Matiashvili reviewed successful projects implemented as a result of joint efforts, including the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC), which Lieutenant General Baltrėnas visited as part of his trip.

During the visit to JTEC, the DGIMS laid a wreath to commemorate Georgian soldiers who fell in defence of Georgia's territorial integrity and in international missions. Additionally, he had the opportunity to engage with Allied embassies in Tbilisi and share views on the ongoing work strands.

Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas noted Georgia's valuable contribution as a reliable and strong partner of the Alliance, as well as its active participation in NATO's international security missions.

Over time, a broad range of practical cooperation has developed between NATO and Georgia. The NATO Liaison Office has operated in Georgia since 2010 and supports the country's reform efforts and its programme of cooperation with NATO. Georgia contributes to the NATO-led Operation Sea Guardian and cooperates with Allies and other partner countries in many other areas.