Estonian defmin discusses cyber defense cooperation with Georgian counterpart

TALLINN - Estonian Defense Minister Juri Luik met with his Georgian counterpart Levan Izoria on Thursday and discussed cooperation in the field of cyber defense as well as signed a bilateral defense cooperation plan.

The defense ministers discussed the security situation in the Black Sea region, broad bilateral cooperation in the field of cyber security, and international operations and cooperation in the framework of NATO partnership, the Estonian Ministry of Defense said.

The ministers also signed the 2018 bilateral defense cooperation plan.

Luik said that bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries is strong -- they take part in each other's military exercises, Estonia supports the training of Georgian defense personnel and cooperation in the field of cyber defense is becoming increasingly stronger.

He stressed Estonia's unwavering support to Georgia's territorial integrity and acknowledged the state's achievements in carrying out reforms in the field of defense. Luik added that Estonia continues to support Georgia's broad-based security sector reform. "I recognize Georgia raising its defense spending to 2 percent of GDP. This shows that Georgia takes its national security very seriously," he said.

Luik also visited Georgia's cyber defense bureau.

Estonia leads strengthening Georgia's capacity building in the field of cyber defense. In the framework of the Nordic-Baltic Assistance Program, a technical cyber exercise for Georgian experts will be held in the coming months. "We have offered cyber training to Georgia in the framework of the program and have mapped their needs," Luik said.

Luik is to also meet with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and will visit the temporary boundary line near South Ossetia.