U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced about three “new areas of defense cooperation” with Georgia after talks with President Saakashvili in Batumi on June 5.

“The United States will provide training and support for Georgian defense courses to better monitor your coasts and skies,” she said. “We will help upgrade Georgia’s utility helicopter fleet so that they can more easily transport supplies and people throughout your country. We are also going to help Georgia give its officers the 21st century training they need for today’s changing missions.”

“With these efforts Georgia will be a stronger international partner with improved capacity for self-defense,” Clinton said.