Successful Handover Ceremony Marks Progress in Georgian Demilitarization Project
Ambassador Degnan participated in a handover ceremony for a demilitarization project in Kakheti, marking a significant milestone in ensuring the safety of Georgian communities. The ceremony included the transfer of newly-constructed buildings and state-of-the-art equipment at the Dedoplitskaro Base, where the U.S. State Department, in collaboration with Georgian and international partners, has implemented a highly successful demilitarization program. By eliminating Soviet-era munitions and weapons, this initiative brings Georgia closer to its NATO membership aspirations while enhancing the security and prosperity of local communities. The program, led by the State Department’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, has achieved remarkable results, with 691,358 non-NATO compatible defense articles safely destroyed. This collaborative effort, carried out in cooperation with ITF– Enhancing Human Security and Georgian semi-government owned DELTA, not only mitigates the risks of uncontrolled detonations, accidents, and environmental contamination but also strengthens the bond between the United States and the Georgian people.