Georgian Defense Minister, Bacho Akhalaia, is in Bratislava on October 23 participating in an informal meeting of NATO defense ministers with their counterparts from non-alliance member states participating in the Afghan operation.

Georgia will send a company to Afghanistan in November and a battalion next year to contribute to NATO-led operation.

Speaking at a news conference after a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Bratislava on October 23, NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that Georgia’s contribution was “a very important signal” and “a positive step” within the NATO-Georgia cooperation.

“We welcome all contributions to our mission in Afghanistan, because from the military point of view we need these contributions. So Georgian decision is highly appreciated, we welcome that,” he said at the news conference held before an informal meeting of NATO defense ministers with their counterparts from non-NATO member states contributing to the Afghan operations.