US postpones ‘Noble Partner’ Military Exercise in Georgia indefinitely
The Pentagon logo is seen behind the podium in the briefing room at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 8, 2020. (Reuters Photo)
The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) has indefinitely postponed the “Noble Partner” military exercise planned in Georgia, stating it was amid a comprehensive review of bilateral relations.
In a written statement, the Pentagon noted that following baseless allegations by the Georgian government of U.S. pressure to open a new front in Ukraine and an attempted coup by the ruling party, a decision was made on May 30 to reassess bilateral relations.
Citing the inappropriateness of conducting a large-scale military exercise in Georgia under such circumstances, the Pentagon announced the indefinite postponement of the “Noble Partner” exercise scheduled from July 25 to Aug.6.
The statement affirmed that the U.S. intends to continue its partnership with Georgian security forces.
Emphasizing the significance of exercises like “Noble Partner” to its allies and partners, the Pentagon underscored its commitment to evaluating future collaboration opportunities, including the “Agile Spirit 2025” exercise planned with partners and allies.
The multinational “Noble Partner” exercise, held more than six times at the Vaziani Military Base near Tbilisi with participation from over 2,000 troops, aims to enhance readiness and cooperation among Georgia, the U.S., regional partners, and allied countries to ensure stability in the Black Sea region.
In response, the Georgian Ministry of Defense expressed sadness over the Pentagon’s decision, highlighting the longstanding defense cooperation between the two nations based on mutual interests and goals.
The Ministry emphasized the contributions of international exercises, including “Noble Partner,” towards strengthening defense capabilities and enhancing military personnel skills.
Both the Pentagon and the Georgian Ministry of Defense affirmed the existing beneficial cooperation formats in defense and security fields, noting ongoing preparations for future initiatives such as the “Agile Spirit 2025” training, despite the postponement of “Noble Partner.”
