Solemn opening ceremony of NATO exercises held in Georgia

On May 11, the Tbilisi suburb of Vasiani, where the base of Ministry of Defence of Georgia is located, hosted a solemn opening of the NATO exercises named "Cooperative Lancer/Cooperative Longbow-2009", held under the NATO Programme "Partnership for Peace". The trial that will last till June 3 involves militaries from 14 countries-members and partners of NATO.

The opening ceremony of the exercises was attended by David Sikharulidze. Prior to the ceremony in Vasiani, a special press conference was held, where the importance of these exercises was emphasized.

Representative of the NATO Command General Geitano Miro Wals told journalists that the exercises "have peacemaking character and aim towards deeper cooperation, operative reaction in crisis situations and holding peacemaking operations," as reported by the ITAR-TASS.

Vice-Premier Georgiy Baramidze has emphasized that "these exercises make another sign of support of Georgia by its western partners; they will promote strengthening peace and stability in Georgia," as the "News-Georgia" Agency reports. According to his story, the exercises make no problems to any country, especially to Russia.