Georgian Defense Minister Dimitri Shashkin met with his Turkish counterpart, İsmet Yılmaz, who is paying Georgia on July 18.

“The purpose of the visit is to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation,” the Georgian Defense Ministry said. “The ministries of the two countries have been collaborating intensively for many years in different spheres especially in the military education field.”

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting Georgian Defense Minister Dimitri Shashkin said that the visit was opening up new perspectives in bilateral relations.

“Turkey is our strategic partner. It seriously, significantly assists the development of our army in terms of both training and our major principle of total defense,” he said.